Document Document Title
US07823216B2 Probe device for a metrology instrument and method of fabricating the same
A method of producing a probe device for a metrology instrument such as an AFM includes providing a substrate having front and back surfaces and then forming an array of tip height structures on the first surface of the substrate, the structures having varying depths corresponding to selectable tip heights. The back surface of the substrate is etched until a thickness of the substrate substantially corresponds to a selected tip height, preferably by monitoring this etch visually and/or monitoring the etch rate. The tips are patterned from the front side of the wafer relative to fixed ends of the cantilevers, and then etched using an anisotropic etch. As a result, probe devices having sharp tips and short cantilevers exhibit fundamental resonant frequencies greater than 700 kHz or more.
US07823215B2 Molecular imaging and nanophotonics imaging and detection principles and systems, and contrast agents, media makers and biomarkers, and mechanisms for such contrast agents
The present invention relates to near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and near-field/far-field scanning microscopy methods, systems and devices that permit the imaging of biological samples, including biological samples or structures that are smaller than the wavelength of light. In one embodiment, the present invention permits the production of multi-spectral, polarimetric, near-field microscopy systems that can achieve a spatial resolution of less than 100 nanometers. In another embodiment, the present invention permits the production of a multifunctional, multi-spectral, polarimetric, near-field/far-field microscopy that can achieve enhanced sub-surface and in-depth imaging of biological samples. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of polar molecules as new optical contrast agents for imaging applications (e.g., cancer detection).
US07823214B2 Accessory authentication for electronic devices
Improved techniques to control utilization of accessory devices with electronic devices are disclosed. The improved techniques can use cryptographic approaches to authenticate electronic devices, namely, electronic devices that interconnect and communicate with one another. One aspect pertains to techniques for authenticating an electronic device, such as an accessory device. Another aspect pertains to provisioning software features (e.g., functions) by or for an electronic device (e.g., a host device). Different electronic devices can, for example, be provisioned differently depending on different degrees or levels of authentication, or depending on manufacturer or product basis. Still another aspect pertains to using an accessory (or adapter) to convert a peripheral device (e.g., USB device) into a host device (e.g., USB host). The improved techniques are particularly well suited for electronic devices, such as media devices, that can receive accessory devices. One example of a media device is a media player, such as a hand-held media player (e.g., music player), that can present (e.g., play) media items (or media assets).
US07823212B2 Securely aggregating content on a storage device
An aggregation system aggregates contents recorded on a plurality of recording mediums and recording them onto another recording medium while protecting the copyrights of the contents is provided. The aggregation system includes an aggregation apparatus and a reproduction apparatus. The aggregation apparatus obtains a main content from an optical disc, obtains a sub content from a memory card, and aggregates the obtained main content and sub content and records them onto a portable medium. The reproduction apparatus obtains the main content from the optical disc, obtains reproduction control information for controlling reproduction of the main content, and reproduces the main content recorded on the optical disc based on the reproduction control information.
US07823210B2 Rights management using recording definition information (RDI)
A rights management system is described in which, subsequent to recording a media resource, client-side equipment receives and stores recording definition information (RDI). The RDI provides information that can be used to recover the keys used to decrypt the media resource. When a client device subsequently wishes to consume the media resource, it can forward the RDI to an operations center. At the operations center, a transcription module validates the client device's rights and converts the RDI into client targeted information (CTI) by recovering the keys used to decrypt the media resource. The client device receives the CTI from the transcription module and uses it to consume the media resource. The CTI has an expiration date, after which it can no longer be used.
US07823209B2 Information recording medium, information recording medium accessing device, and area setting method
An information recording medium contains a semiconductor memory as a storage device for storing data and having plural areas to be managed by mutually independent file systems, an area information storage for storing information about size and position of each area of the semiconductor memory, a host interface for receiving a command for setting each area size of the semiconductor memory from an accessing device, and an area size setter for setting the size and position of each area of the semiconductor memory. The area size setter sets the area size of each area in the semiconductor memory based on the specified setting condition according to the command received from the accessing device.
US07823208B2 Method and system for binding enhanced software features to a persona
A server architecture for a digital rights management system that distributes and protects rights in content. The server architecture includes a retail site which sells content items to consumers, a fulfillment site which provides to consumers the content items sold by the retail site, and an activation site which enables consumer reading devices to use content items having an enhanced level of copy protection. Each retail site is equipped with a URL encryption object, which encrypts, according to a secret symmetric key shared between the retail site and the fulfillment site, information that is needed by the fulfillment site to process an order for content sold by the retail site. Upon selling a content item, the retail site transmits to the purchaser a web page having a link to a URL comprising the address of the fulfillment site and a parameter having the encrypted information. Upon following the link, the fulfillment site downloads the ordered content to the consumer, preparing the content if necessary in accordance with the type of security to be carried with the content. The fulfillment site includes an asynchronous fulfillment pipeline which logs information about processed transactions using a store-and-forward messaging service.
US07823207B2 Privacy preserving data-mining protocol
Privacy Preserving Data-Mining Protocol, between a secure “aggregator” and “sources” having respective access to privacy-sensitive micro-data, the protocol including: the “aggregator” accepting a user query and transmitting a parameter list for that query to the “sources” (often including privacy-problematic identifiable specifics to be analyzed); the “sources” then forming files of privacy-sensitive data-items according to the parameter list and privacy filtering out details particular to less than a predetermined quantity of micro-data-specific data-items; and the “aggregator” merging the privacy-filtered files into a data-warehouse to formulate a privacy-safe response to the user—even though the user may have included privacy-problematic identifiable specifics.
US07823206B2 Method and apparatus for establishing a security policy, and method and apparatus of supporting establishment of security policy
There are provided a method of efficiently establishing a security policy and an apparatus for supporting preparation of a security policy. According to a method of establishing a security policy in six steps, a simple security policy draft is first prepared. The security policy draft is adjusted so as to match realities of an organization, as required, thus completing a security policy stepwise. Therefore, a security policy can be established in consideration of a schedule or budget of the organization.
US07823205B1 Conserving computing resources while providing security
A computer has protected resources presenting threat vectors that malicious software can use to attack the computer. A security module has monitoring components that monitor the protected resources to detect malicious software. The security module detects if a protected resource enters a steady security state. In response to a protected resource entering a steady state, the security module selectively disables the components that monitor the protected resource, thereby conserving the computing resources utilized by the security module and freeing the computing resources for other tasks. If the resource exits the steady security state, the security module temporarily blocks access to the resource while it enables the monitoring components for that resource.
US07823203B2 Method and device for detecting computer network intrusions
A method and device for detecting intrusion on a network utilizes a target server running software that is executed for a network client only upon receiving authorization from a monitoring server to execute the software. When an attempt to execute software on the target server by a client is not authorized, monitoring server notifies the system administrator of the unauthorized attempt.
US07823201B1 Detection of key logging software
Installing a detection hook function aids in the detection of keylogger software on a computer. A request to install a hook procedure via the system service function is intercepted by the detection hook function. The detection hook function determines whether the request indicates that the hook procedure is keylogger software. If so, an action is taken such as denying the request or alerting the user. A detection hook function also intercepts a request to remove a hook procedure. A dynamic detection function intercepts a call to a hook chain function attempting to pass an event to a hook procedure.
US07823198B2 Secure memory storage device
An electronic memory device configured to store and transfer data with a host device via a memory device connector and a mating host connector is disclosed. The electronic memory device includes a memory storage, a plurality of key buttons disposed upon the memory device, and a display disposed upon the memory device. The plurality of key buttons is configured to allow entry of a security code comprising a plurality of fields, and the display configured to display the security code. The memory device is configured to allow data transfer to or from the memory storage in response to entry of the security code, but to prevent data transfer to or from the memory storage prior to entry of the security code and in response to disconnection of the memory device from the host device.
US07823195B1 Method, apparatus and computer program product for a network firewall
An improved firewall for providing network security is described. The improved firewall provides for dynamic rule generation, as well using conventional fixed rules. This improvement is provided without significant increase in the processing time required for most packets. Additionally, the improved firewall provides for translation of IP addresses between the firewall and the internal network.
US07823192B1 Application-to-application security in enterprise security services
The present system allows disparate secure applications to communicate directly with one another in a heterogeneous application environment by providing for the creation of tokens that can be passed between the applications without human intervention. Security information is passed between applications in the form of a token with a string data type. Since a string is a primitive data type, it can be recognized by a large number of applications and interfaces. The token has no header and therefore no application-specific header configuration, making it platform and technology independent. This eliminates the need for conversion of security information between different formats. The use of tokens also eliminates the need for an application to be authenticated and authorized every time it sends a message to another application. Instead of a permanent context or session, a context is created with every invocation from one application to another.
US07823190B1 System and method for implementing a distributed keystore within an enterprise network
A keystore is described which provides unique views of certificates and keys to particular application components and/or users. Upon receiving a request from a user and/or an application component to view keystore data, the keystore system implements a first set of security restrictions associated with the request and provides a limited view of the keystore data to the requesting user and/or application component based on the results of the first set of security restrictions. Then, upon detecting an attempt by the user and/or application component to access specified portions of the keystore data provided in the view, the keystore system implements a second set of security restrictions associated with the attempt to access the specified portions of the keystore data, and provides access to the keystore data to the user and/or application component based on the results of the second set of security restrictions.
US07823189B2 System and method for dynamic role association
A pluggable architecture allows security and business logic plugins to be inserted into a security service hosted by a server, and to control access to one or more secured resources on that server, on another server within the security domain, or between security domains. The security service may act as a focal point for security enforcement, and access rights determination, and information used or determined within one login process can flow transparently and automatically to other login processes. Entitlements denote what a particular user may or may not do with a particular resource, in a particular context. Entitlements reflect not only the technical aspects of the secure environment (the permit or deny concept), but can be used to represent the business logic or functionality required by the server provider. In this way entitlements bridge the gap between a simple security platform, and a complex business policy platform.
US07823188B2 Network access system which is adapted for the use of a simplified signature method, and server used to implement same
A system for accessing a packet-switching network (4), which is adapted for the use of a simplified signature method. The system includes a supplementary server (60) which is independent of a proxy server (50) of an access provider (12) and a simplified signature module (66) which is provided in the supplementary server (60). The proxy server (50) is equipped with an interface (64) which enables the connection of the proxy server to the supplementary server (60) and the transmission of at least the authentication requests sent by contacted service providers to the supplementary server (60) in order for the requests to be processed by the simplified signature module (66).
US07823178B2 Method for controlling a network station in a network of a first type from a network station in a network of a second type, and connection unit for the connection of the networks of the first and second types
The invention relates to the field of home networks, in particular the connection of two home networks of different types via a gateway. The network devices in the network of the first type are also intended to be able to control the network devices in the network of the second type, and vice versa. In the context of realizing control message conversions, the problem has arisen that, although direct conversions into the format of the other network are possible for many control messages, in some cases there is no correspondence for a control message in the device to be controlled. In order to convert such control messages, it is proposed to provide means in the network connection unit which check whether a data connection to a further network device is set up for the device to be controlled and, if the further network device has this device functionality, the conversion is effected such that the control message is converted into a corresponding control message for the further network device and is forwarded to the further network device.
US07823172B2 Disk apparatus with curved stabilizing member
A disk apparatus includes a head configured to move along a recording surface of a rotating disk; and a stabilizing member provided so as to face the disk. A facing surface of the stabilizing member facing the disk includes a curved surface whose symmetrical axis is a center generating line passing through a center of the facing surface. The head reciprocally moves along a path which is offset from the center generating line.
US07823165B2 System and computer program product for presenting event flows using sequence diagrams
System and computer program product having code for presenting event associations between events from one or more event flows on a display screen of a computer by: constructing a sequence diagram representation, the representation having timelines for the event flows and directional paths between the timelines for the event associations; and displaying the representation on the display.
US07823164B2 Automated generation of different script versions
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for automated generation of different script versions. Received scripts can include comments containing descriptive data from which instructions for implementing specified further functionality (e.g., debugging, testing, tracing, etc.) can be inferred. Received scripts can also include anonymous function names. Modules within a script pre-processor can access the descriptive data and infer instructions for implementing specified further functionality. Modules with the script preprocessor can also infer and assign global identifiers to anonymous functions such that the scripts are subsequently identifiable using the global identifiers. The modules within the script pre-processor can interoperate to generate versions of the script that implement the specified further (e.g., debugging) functionality without requiring a developer to write additional code.
US07823162B1 Thread circuits and a broadcast channel in programmable logic
Embodiments of a message processing circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a high-level language is used to specify a broadcast channel and first and second thread circuits. The first thread circuit outputs messages to the broadcast channel, each message having units of data, and starts the second thread circuit, indicating position in a message at which the second thread circuit is to commence reading data. The broadcast channel receives messages from the first thread circuit and outputs data of each message along with a position code indicating position in the message of current output data. The second thread reads data from the broadcast channel at a specified position in a message. The high-level language specification is translated into a hardware description language (HDL) specification, and the HDL specification is used to generate configuration data for programmable logic. Programmable logic is configured to implement the thread circuits and broadcast channel.
US07823160B2 Methods of forwarding context data upon application initiation
A method to be performed in a computer system having a function for initiating applications that allows context data to be forwarded to the initiated application in a character string includes receiving a user input made during execution of a first application. The user input requests a specific operation to be performed by a second application, the specific operation to be performed using context data from the first application. In response to the user input, the context data is stored in a memory location that is available during execution of the second application. A character string is forwarded to the second application upon its initiation, the character string including an address of the memory location, wherein the second application is to access the context data for performing the specific operation. The first application or a portal store the context data, initiate the second application and forward the character string.
US07823155B2 Optimizing network performance for a use application on a mobile communication device by averaging a level of performance of the use application for a plurality of mobile communication devices
A system to optimize network performance for a use application provides a probe application that is provided by a network server for downloading by a mobile device. The probe application monitors a level of performance for various use applications provided by the network for the mobile device and reports the monitored level of performance for at least one of the use applications to the network server. The network server collates the performance data from the plurality of communication devices and provides resource allocation instructions to the mobile device to optimize a level of performance for the use applications for the communication device.
US07823151B2 Method of ensuring the integrity of TLB entries after changing the translation mode of a virtualized operating system without requiring a flush of the TLB
Systems and methods are disclosed to support partial physical addressing modes on a virtual machine. An example method disclosed herein identifies a change of a first translation mode to a second translation mode on a host hardware platform, the host hardware platform including a processor, the processor further including region registers; identifies an address as cacheable or non-cacheable; saves contents of the region registers for the first translation mode to processor memory; updates content of the region registers corresponding to the second translation mode; identifies a change of the second translation mode to the first translation mode; and populates the region registers with the contents of the saved region registers corresponding to the first translation mode.
US07823150B2 Computer-implemented method, system and program product for establishing multiple read-only locks on a shared data object
Under the present invention, a locking primitive associated with a shared data object is automatically transformed to allow multiple read-only locks if certain conditions are met. To this extent, when a read-only lock on a shared data object is desired, a thread identifier of an object header lock word (hereinafter “lock word”) associated with the shared data object is examined to determine if a read-write lock on the shared data object already exists. If not, then the thread identifier is set to a predetermined value indicative of read-only locks, and a thread count in the lock word is incremented. If another thread attempts a read-only lock, the thread identifier will be examined for the predetermined value. If it is present, the thread count will be incremented again, and a second read-only lock will be simultaneously established.
US07823149B2 Method and system for restoring an operating environment on a computer system
A method and system for restoring an operating environment in a computer system. A request to install a target operating environment on a computer system is received at an application. The application transmits a first notification to the computer system. In response to the first notification, the computer system automatically retrieves an image, wherein the image comprises the target operating environment. The computer system automatically restores the image on the computer system such that the target operating environment is installed on the computer system. The computer system automatically transmits a second notification to the application when the image is restored. The present invention provides a method and system for automating the installation of an operating environment on a computer system.
US07823140B2 Java bytecode translation method and Java interpreter performing the same
A Java bytecode translation method and a Java interpreter performing the Java bytecode translation method are provided. The Java bytecode translation method includes extracting a number of successive Java bytecodes from a Java class, determining whether the extracted successive Java bytecodes are successive field access bytecodes for accessing a field in the Java class and translating the extracted successive Java bytecodes into predefined bytecode if the extracted successive Java bytecodes are determined to be the successive field access bytecodes, and executing the predefined bytecode.
US07823137B2 Process and implementation for using byte code insertion to modify a class definition to define and use probes for application components
A mechanism is provided for just-in-time instrumentation that uses bytecode insertion to modify a class definition to store a reference to the static class information to be used by probes. A hook is inserted to provide a callback to one or more probes. When the bytecode inserted hook is executed, the static class information is used to locate and execute the application probes.
US07823136B2 Callbacks for monitoring driver-level statistics
A JAVA Database Connectivity (JDBC) subsystem includes a connection pool and prepared statement cache, which allows application to interact with a database. The JDBC subsystem can include a profiling component and a statistics monitoring component that maintain profile and statistics information concerning components of JDBC subsystem, such as the connection pool and prepared statement cache. A client application can register a diagnostic callback with the JDBC subsystem, for use with requests from that client application to methods of the JDBC driver being executed.
US07823129B2 Apparatus and method for dynamic instrumenting of code to minimize system perturbation
An apparatus and method are provided for the dynamic instrumentation of code to minimize system perturbation during tracing of the execution of the code. With the apparatus and method, “hot spots” in the execution of the code are dynamically determined during tracing of the execution of the code. These “hot spots” are dynamically instrumented, i.e. an event hook is inserted, to cause control to be passed to a handler that determines a caller of the “hot spot” method. The method that called the “hot spot” method, or “caller” method, is identified from a call stack and is dynamically instrumented for an appropriate metric so that the next time the calling method is executed, the dynamically inserted hooks are executed. The execution of the hooks in the caller method is continued for a predetermined period, e.g., number of invocations, to get an understanding of the caller method's characteristics. A list of callers of instrumented methods is maintained and used to determine one or more calling methods of the instrumented caller method. One or more of these calling methods may be instrumented and the hooks inserted in the instrumented caller method (called by the one or more calling methods), are removed. In this way, the call graph of the hot spots of a program execution is “walked up” and characterized over time.
US07823126B2 Robot control software framework in open distributed process architecture
An open distributed processing structured robot control software architecture is enclosed, which makes it possible to manufacture a user-oriented robot through combination of independent heterogeneous functional modules. The invention involves an open software framework for integrated operation and production of distributed software of the modules, and an autonomous robot control architecture suitable for distributed environments. The software framework indicates underlying software components for robot control and service creation. The invention makes it possible to mass-produce autonomous robots in units of interoperable functional modules. It is also possible to meet various demands of consumers, achieve specialization, and accelerate technology development since the development procedures are specialized in an independent manner and are suitable for manufacturing a wide variety of robot products in small quantities.
US07823124B2 Transformation layer
The present subject mater relates to configuration of software applications and, more particularly, a configuration transformation layer. The various embodiments described herein provide systems, methods, and software to instantiate a multilayer application, wherein each application layer includes configuration settings and executing a transformation engine to transform configuration settings between application layers as a function of one or more transformation schemas.
US07823120B2 Device, system and method for accelerated modeling
Briefly, embodiments of the invention provide, for example, devices, systems and methods for accelerated modeling. A method may include, for example, defining a domain-specific language (100) usable in a modeling environment (700) and having a dynamic component and a static component, the dynamic component able to affect a behavior of the static component.
US07823118B2 Computer readable medium having multiple instructions stored in a computer readable device
A computer readable medium comprising multiple instructions stored in a computer readable device, upon executing these instructions, a computer performing the following steps: providing a semiconductor layout and a circuit pattern; setting a forbidden area of the circuit pattern according to a restriction condition; defining at least a virtual pattern arrangement area on a portion of the semiconductor layout which does not correspond to the forbidden area; and providing a virtual pattern array in the virtual pattern arrangement area.
US07823115B2 Method of generating wiring routes with matching delay in the presence of process variation
A method and service of balancing delay in a circuit design begins with nodes that are to be connected together by a wiring design, or by being supplied with an initial wiring design that is to be altered. The wiring design will have many wiring paths, such as a first wiring path, a second wiring path, etc. Two or more of the wiring paths are designed to have matching timing, such that the time needed for a signal to travel along the first wiring path is about the same time needed for a signal to travel along the second wiring path, the third path, etc. The method/service designs one or all of the wiring paths to make the paths traverse wire segments of about the same length and orientation, within each wiring level that the first wiring path and the second wiring path traverse. Also, this process makes the first wiring path and the second wiring path traverse the wire segments in the same order, within each wiring level that the first wiring path and the second wiring path traverse.
US07823114B2 Method of designing wiring structure of semiconductor device and wiring structure designed accordingly
A method of designing a wiring structure of an LSI is capable of reducing a capacitance variation ratio ΔC/C or a resistance-by-capacitance variation ratio Δ(RC)/(RC) of the wiring structure. The method sets a process-originated variation ratio (δP) for the wiring structure, a tolerance (ξC) for the capacitance variation ratio (ΔC/C), and a tolerance (ξRC) for the resistance-by-capacitance variation ratio (Δ(RC)/(RC)), evaluates a fringe capacitance ratio (F=CF/CP) according to a fringe capacitance CF and parallel-plate capacitance CP of the wiring structure, and determines the wiring structure so that the fringe capacitance ratio (F) may satisfy the following: For ⁢ ⁢  Δ ⁢ ⁢ C C  ≤ ξ C , ⁢ F ≥ δ P ξ C - 1 ( 1 ) For ⁢ ⁢  Δ ⁡ ( RC ) RC  ≤ ξ RC , ⁢ F ≤ ( 1 - δ P ) ⁢ δ P δ P - ξ RC - 1 ( 2 ) The method employs an equivalent-variations condition defined as |ΔC/C|=|Δ(RC)/(RC)| to determine the shape parameters of each wire of the wiring structure.
US07823113B1 Automatic integrated circuit routing using spines
A method and technique of routing interconnects of an integrated circuit providing improved routing quality. In an embodiment of the invention, the technique provides linear spine interconnect routing. In memory array blocks, such as in DRAM and SRAM memory designs, connected pins are generally separated by large distances in a first direction and small distances in a second direction, or a spine or channel region. A route area is defined within the spine region. In one embodiment, obstacles in the route area are identified and corresponding forbidden areas are demarcated. The linear spine interconnect is routed in the first direction within the route area while avoiding the forbidden areas. Pins are connected to the spine interconnect by stitching interconnects. Stitching interconnects are generally routed in the second direction.
US07823110B2 Method and system for processing geometrical layout design data
A method and system for processing geometrical layout design data in a computation network. The method includes assigning one or more partitions of the geometrical layout design data to one or more computing devices. One or more partitions are assigned based on first predefined parameters. The method further includes receiving a minimum-hierarchy representation of the geometrical layout design data and a partition information corresponding to one or more partition assigned. The partition information corresponding to a partition assigned includes a spatial information corresponding to the partition. Further, the minimum-hierarchy representation includes a plurality of cells. Each cell in the minimum-hierarchy representation may include zero or more bounding box information and zero or more cell-references. Further, the method includes retrieving one or more fragments based on each of the partition information and the minimum-hierarchy representation. A fragment can include one or more parts of a cell of the geometrical layout design data.
US07823108B2 Chip having timing analysis of paths performed within the chip during the design process
An integrated circuit chip is made using Genie, a described computer chip design tool which can analyze the data contained within an entire endpoint report, compute relationships between paths based on shared segments, and display this information graphically to the designer. Specifically, Genie groups failing paths into Timing Islands. A timing island is a group of paths which contain at least one shared segment. The most frequently shared segment is sifted to the top of the priority list for each island, and is labeled as the Hub. Thinking of timing islands as a tree, the hub of the island would be the trunk. If you chop the tree down by the trunk, all of the branches, limbs and twigs will fall down too. This is analogous to fixing the timing failures in the hub, and the fix trickling out to each of the segments that dangle off the hub.
US07823107B2 Transition balancing for noise reduction/Di/Dt reduction during design, synthesis, and physical design
An embodiment of a design structure is shown for noise reduction comprising synthesizing blocks of sequential latches, e.g., a pipeline circuit architecture or clocking domain, which comprises combinational logic, synthesizing a root or a master clock and at least one phase-shifted sub-domain clock for each block, assigning primary inputs and primary outputs of the block to the root clock, assigning non-primary inputs and non-primary outputs of the block to the sub-domain clock, splitting root clock inputs into root clock inputs and phase-shifted sub-domain clock inputs, assigning each of the blocks a different phase-shifted sub-domain clock phase offset, creating a clock generation circuitry for the root clocks and the phase-shifted sub-domain clocks.
US07823106B2 Variable performance ranking and modification in design for manufacturability of circuits
A method, computer system and program product introduce adding a variable performance ranking parameter to a diagram of a circuit to drive implementation of modifications that are yield improving, performance boosting, or performance-neutral. The information is paired to accomplish a more complete design for manufacturability modification in the design of circuits implemented on chips. In this matter, both yield and chip performance are improved.
US07823101B2 Device, method, and storage for verification scenario generation, and verification device
A verification scenario generation device including a first input unit which accepts input of a device list showing devices connected with a circuit to be verified, parameter setting information for the devices, and a test bench combination list corresponding to the devices, a test bench library which holds the test bench, and a test bench generation unit to generate a test bench for verification, a scenario template generation unit which generates a scenario template. The device further includes a data combination list generation unit which generates a combination list of data kinds, a verification item generation unit which generates verification items based on a combination list of the data kind and a combination list of the test bench input, and a verification scenario generation unit which generates a verification scenario based on the scenario template, and the verification items.
US07823100B1 Generating self-checking test cases from a reduced case analysis graph using path constraints
A method, system and apparatus for constructing a comprehensive test plan for a design under test (DUT) using a case analysis graph is provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide for automatically generating test cases of the test plan from the case analysis graph by traversing paths through the case analysis graph to select a sequence of components to be exercised by a DUT. Selection of the components is constrained by one or more rules. The rules, in aspects of the invention, provide for selection of specified components to be included in the sequence of components.
US07823096B2 Inductance analysis system and method and program therefor
System, method and program for inductance analysis for reducing time for analysis, to cope with increase in the system size, to achieve high accuracy in the analysis. Information on a power supply plane, in a state in which a beginning point of non-coupled current of return current accompanying a signal current is placed in the vicinity of a signal through-hole on the power supply plane, based on position information of said signal through-hole, is received. Potential distribution in the power supply plane is determined and output. The non-coupled inductance from the signal through-hole to the power supply through-hole in the power supply plane is evaluated. In the potential analysis, non-coupled inductance L from the signal through-hole to the power supply through-hole is represented by resistance R. The relationship that a voltage increment ΔV is represented by the product of the non-coupled inductance L and the rate of time change of the current, ΔV=LΔI/Δt, is replaced by the relationship that the voltage V is represented by the product of resistance R and non-coupled current I, V=R×I. Potential analysis is performed by analyzing two-dimensional heat diffusion in the power supply plane assuming that a heat source is placed at a beginning point of the non-coupled current.
US07823094B2 Pseudo-string based pattern recognition in L3GO designs
A system and method for processing glyph-based data associated with generating very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI) designs. A system is provide that includes a serialization system for converting an input region of glyph design data into a pseudo-string; and a pattern searching system that identifies matching patterns in the glyph design data by analyzing pseudo-strings generated by the serialization system. Pattern searching may include, e.g., predefined pattern searching and redundant pattern searching.
US07823085B2 Knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar
A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.
US07823081B2 User interface system having a separate menu flow software object and operation software object
A user interface system, and an image forming apparatus using the user interface system for displaying an operation menu and transferring the contents thereof based on an operation input received in response to operation menu selection. The display and transfer of the operation menu are achieved using a group of independent software objects that include a menu flow software object that controls the transfer of the contents of the operation menu and a separate operation software object that functions in cooperation with the menu flow software object to control processing of the operation input by a processor and for creating, changing, and deleting the input operation.
US07823080B2 Information processing apparatus, screen display method, screen display program, and recording medium having screen display program recorded therein
In a personal broadcasting system, a user terminal vertically divides a window serving as a main screen into separate elements corresponding to a plurality of functions on a display screen and causes a display unit to display the separate elements side-by-side, the separate elements being a plurality of independent panel windows.
US07823079B2 Computer readable recording medium recorded with graphics editing program, and graphics editing apparatus
When an element is interactively arranged in cooperative with an input device and a display device, if at least a part of the arranged element is overlapped with an already arranged element, the relation of the already arranged element is inherited and association is made between these elements to provide a relation therebetween, thereby displaying the relation. Therefore, it becomes possible to inherit the relation of the already arranged element with a simple operation. Thereby, it is possible to easily provide a relation between elements by associating the elements with one another while reflecting the intention of user as much as possible.
US07823076B2 Simplified user interface navigation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for user interface navigation. A method includes receiving first input indicating a first cursor navigation direction in a first visual area of a graphical user interface, the first visual area presenting one or more first content type indicators that are destinations for cursor navigation, selecting a next content type indicator based on the first cursor navigation direction and presenting a second visual area such that the next content type indicator is not visible but one or more other content type indicators are visible. The method includes presenting in the second visual area one or more content thumbnails that are destinations for cursor navigation in the second visual area, receiving second input indicating a second cursor navigation direction in the second visual area, and changing the second visual area to include a next content thumbnail based on the second cursor navigation direction.
US07823075B2 GUI application development support device, GUI display device, and method, and computer program
An application development supporting apparatus and method that make it possible to easily set and execute various animation representations according to a state of a GUI component are provided. A GUI component is generated based on a logical part and a graphics representation part, and the graphics representation part is made to have an animation execution function based on image files according to the state of the component. By reading and displaying pre-set image data from an image file in accordance with methods that is carried out by a class of a graphics representation component, it becomes possible to carry out various animations with an image that is set according to the state of the component.
US07823074B2 Service providing apparatus and method, and information processing apparatus and method
Systems and methods are provided which can be used to control electrical household appliances connected to a home network by use of a GUI having an entertainment-oriented virtual space capability. A virtual space is arranged with a mascot dedicated to the user of an information processing apparatus. An icon can be clicked to control a real world device existing in the home of a user. A user can participate in a virtual space belonging to another user through sharing.
US07823073B2 Presence-based location and/or proximity awareness
Various embodiments utilize a presence-based network to provide a suite of services that build upon the presence-based or instant messaging foundation. In at least some embodiments, the presence-based network is utilized to implement a number of location-aware applications. In at least some embodiments, as part of a user's presence information, their particular location is ascertained and made available to others on the presence-based network. Location can be a physical location or a logical location. Their particular physical location can be visually represented to others by, for example, displaying a map that indicates the user's location.
US07823066B1 Intelligent console for content-based interactivity
The intelligent console method and apparatus of the present invention includes a powerful, intuitive, yet highly flexible means for accessing a multi-media system having multiple multi-media data types. The present intelligent console provides an interactive display of linked multi-media events based on a user's personal taste. The intelligent console includes a graph/data display that can provide several graphical representations of the events that satisfy user queries. The user can access an event simply by selecting the time of interest on the timeline of the graph/data display. Because the system links together all of the multi-media data types associated with a selected event, the intelligent console synchronizes and displays the multiple media data when a user selects the event. Complex queries can be made using the present intelligent console. The user is alerted to the events satisfying the complex queries and if the user chooses, the corresponding and associated multi-media data is displayed.
US07823065B2 Lexicon-based new idea detector
A method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of new ideas in documents or communications. The method is comprised of three processes. The first process lexiconizes all words or symbols in a set of documents. The second process compares all words in a second set of documents to the words in the lexicon. Words not already in the lexicon are presented to a user who takes one of two courses of action, 1) lexiconizes the word, or, 2) declares it a “fad” indicating that the word is to be further analyzed. The third process measures the spatial and temporal spread of said fad by searching a third set of documents and computing metrics based on additional occurrences of said fad, said metrics being used to determine when a fad has achieved a level of interest denoted as a category. When a category is detected, a user is notified.
US07823061B2 System and method for text segmentation and display
The present invention provides a system and method for dividing patent claims into segments for display. A segmentation engine of a computer program searches for transitional phrases or other strings and divides the patent claims into a segment for each claim. The segmentation engine also searches for dependency references. A display engine of the program uses the dependency data to display the claims in a tree structure. The segmentation also divides each claim into subsegments containing the various components of the claim. The subsegments of each claim are displayed in a tree structure nested within the tree structure of the claims. A user may manipulate and/or select segmentation rules to determine how segmentation is carried out, or may alter display settings to determine which segments or subsegments are shown and which are hidden to expedite claim analysis.
US07823060B2 Undo/redo architecture across multiple files
Editing operations are monitored for operations for which information must be stored in order to properly apply an undo or undo/redo sequence to plurality of files. A snapshot is taken and persisted before such an operation is performed. Upon the execution of an undo or redo command, the persisted snapshot is retrieved and applied to the newly generated editing element.
US07823056B1 Multiple-camera video recording
Techniques and systems for recording video and audio in timeline sequences. In some embodiments, a method involves playing video from a timeline sequence that can include footage from portions of video tracks including at least one pre-recorded edit. In response to a selection of footage from the timeline sequence, the method can involve overwriting at least one pre-recorded edit in the timeline sequence. Each video track can correspond to a respective camera in a multiple-camera source. The footage can include one or more video clips, still images, frames, and moving images. The overwriting can occur while playing the video at a play rate faster than realtime, a play rate slower than realtime, a user-selected playing rate, during video scrubbing, or during realtime playback. The recording may involve a jump back input, and punch in and punch out locations associated with the timeline sequence.
US07823051B2 Digital broadcasting transmission system and method thereof
A digital broadcasting transmission system and method thereof. The digital broadcasting transmission system, comprises an RS encoder to encode a dual transport stream (TS) which includes a normal stream and a plurality of turbo streams multiplexed together, an interleaver to interleave the encoded dual TS, a turbo processor to detect the turbo streams from the interleaved dual TS and to encode the detected turbo stream, and a trellis encoder to pseudo2 (P-2) vestigial sideband (VSB) code the turbo-processed dual TS, and, then, to perform trellis encoding, and a main multiplexer (MUX) to multiplex the trellis-encoded dual TS by adding a field synchronous signal and a segment synchronous signal thereto.
US07823049B2 Methods and apparatuses for generating parity symbols for data block
Methods and apparatus for generating parity symbols for a data block are disclosed. One of the proposed methods includes: determining a multiplicator polynomial for a first-direction symbol line of the data block, receiving a set of symbols on the first-direction symbol line, multiplying each of the set of symbols by the multiplicator polynomial to generate a set of product polynomials, repeating the determining, receiving, and multiplying steps for a plurality of first-direction symbol lines of the data block to generate a plurality of sets of product polynomials, and summing the plurality of sets of product polynomials to generate a set of parity polynomials. The coefficients of the set of parity polynomials constitute parity symbols of the data block.
US07823046B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a memory section including a first and second memory cell storing a data bit and error correcting bit, respectively. An error correcting section outputs a data signal containing an error-corrected data bit, using the error correcting bit and an information signal when the error is corrected. A test section outputs a first determination signal when the memory section is determined to be faulty by checking the data signal based on a program. A counter section counts the number of times by which the information signal is supplied thereto and outputs a second determination signal when the result of counting becomes equal to a reference value. A determining section determines that the memory section is faulty when one of the first and second determination signals is supplied thereto.
US07823044B2 Method for streamlining error connection code computation while reading or programming a NAND flash memory
A method for streamlining error correction code computation while reading or programming a NAND flash memory. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising transferring a data block between a flash memory and a memory controller, and computing an ECC for said data block while transferring the data block.
US07823043B2 Corruption-resistant data porting with multiple error correction schemes
To export (e.g., store or transmit) input data, only the input data are encoded separately according to first and second encoding schemes to provide first and second encoded data. The first encoded data and the second encoded data are exported. Upon importing (e.g., retrieving or receiving) representations of the exported data, a first decoding scheme is applied to the representation of the first encoded data to recover the input data. If that application fails, then a second decoding scheme is applied to the representation of the second encoded data to recover the input data.
US07823042B2 Optical recording medium, apparatus and method of recording/reproducing data thereon/therefrom, and computer-readable recording medium storing program to perform the method
A recording medium on which a recording/reproducing unit block is recorded, an apparatus to record and/or reproduce data on/from the recording medium, and a method of recording/reproducing the data on/from the recording medium. The recording/reproducing unit block comprises invalid data used in disc certification, and an identifier to indicate that the invalid data is included in the recording/reproducing unit block, the invalid data being used during the disc certification on a portion of the recording medium or the entire recording medium.
US07823038B2 Connecting analog response to separate strobed comparator input on IC
Special test circuitry in an IC for wafer level testing selectively connects the specialized test circuitry to the functional circuitry during wafer test. Following wafer test the special test circuitry is electrically isolated from the functional circuitry and power supplies such that it does not load functional circuit signals nor consume power.
US07823037B2 Optimized JTAG interface
An optimized JTAG interface is used to access JTAG Tap Domains within an integrated circuit. The interface requires fewer pins than the conventional JTAG interface and is thus more applicable than conventional JTAG interfaces on an integrated circuit where the availability of pins is limited. The interface may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related integrated circuit test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations.
US07823033B2 Data processing with configurable registers
A data processing system includes functional circuitry which performs at least one data processing function, a register file coupled to the functional circuitry and having a plurality of general purpose registers (GPRs) which are included as part of a user's programming model for the data processing system, where a portion of the plurality of GPRs are reconfigurable as test registers during a test mode, and control circuitry which provides a test enable indicator to the register file. The portion of the plurality of GPRs, in response to the test enable indicator indicating the test mode is enabled, operates to accumulate test data from predetermined circuit nodes within the functional circuitry. In one aspect, the portion of the plurality of GPRs are reconfigured as multiple input shift registers (MISRs) during the test mode and generate signatures based on the test data.
US07823030B2 Fully-buffered dual in-line memory module with fault correction
A memory system comprises first memory that includes memory cells. Content addressable memory (CAM) includes CAM memory cells, stores addresses of selected ones of the memory cells, stores data having the addresses in corresponding ones of the CAM memory cells and retrieves data having the addresses from corresponding ones of the CAM memory cells. An adaptive refresh module stores data from selected ones of the memory cells in the CAM memory cells to one of increase and maintain a time period between refreshing of the memory cells.
US07823022B2 Methods and systems for first occurence debugging
An embodiment relates generally to an apparatus for debugging. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store data and an arithmetic logic unit configured to perform logical and arithmetic operations. The apparatus also includes a control unit configured to interface with the memory and arithmetic logic unit and to decode instructions. The control unit is configured to write a data state designated to be overwritten by a currently executing instruction to a buffer allocated in the memory in response to a trace debug flag being set.
US07823020B2 System and method for applying a destructive firmware update in a non-destructive manner
A system, method, and computer-usable medium for applying a destructive firmware update in a non-destructive manner. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, during operation of a multiprocessor data processing system, a service processor updates firmware in the multiprocessor data processing system from a first firmware setting to a second firmware setting. The service processor iteratively applies the second firmware setting to hardware within the multiprocessor data processing system by de-allocating a first hardware device when the second firmware setting includes at least one destructive operation targeted to the first hardware device, performing the destructive operation on the first hardware device, and re-allocating the first hardware device into the multiprocessor data processing system when the destructive operation is complete.
US07823019B2 Debug circuitry
An apparatus for processing data includes diagnostic mechanisms for providing watch point and breakpoint functionality. Semaphores are associated with the watch points and are provided with hardware support within the diagnostic circuitry serving to monitor whether or not accesses to watch point data is being made in accordance with the permissions set up and noted in the semaphore data.
US07823015B2 Method and device for determining a full error description for at least on part of a technical system computer program element and computer-readable storage medium
Disclosed is a full error description for a technical system which is described by a system description which can be processed by a computer and stored. The system description contains information on elements available in system and information on the links therebetween. An element error description is determined for each element taken into consideration, using a stored error description which is respectively associated with a reference element. At least one part of the reference elements is grouped into a reference element group and a group error description is determined for the reference elements of a reference element group using a stored group error description which is respectively associated with a reference element group, enabling possible errors of the reference elements of the reference element group to be described. A full error description is determined from the element error descriptions and the group error descriptions, taking into account information on element links.
US07823013B1 Hardware data race detection in HPCS codes
A method and system for detecting race conditions computing systems. A parallel computing system includes multiple processor cores is coupled to memory. An application with a code sequence in which parallelism to be exploited is executed on this system. Different processor cores may operate on a given memory line concurrently. Extra bits are associated with the memory data line and are used to indicate changes to corresponding subsections of data in the memory line. A memory controller may perform a comparison between check bits of a memory line to determine if more than one processor core modified the same section of data in a cache line and a race condition has occurred.
US07823009B1 Fault tolerant distributed storage for cloud computing
Data sets and blocks are stored in a set of independent, functionally equivalent chunks. These chunks are placed on different elements of a distributed network to achieve pre-defined level of fault tolerance. Terms of fault tolerance are defined in terms of amount of unavailable sites in the network allowing receipt and access to the data block. Maximal and minimal number of chunks available are variable method parameters. The minimal amount of data chunks K needed to restore a data block is defined. The size of each chunk is approximately 1/K of the original block size. The maximal amounts of chunks are defined during distribution operation and depend upon a requested fault tolerance level. Redundancy in data storage is minimized and varies dynamically by changing the total amount of chunks available. Significant increase in data transfer rate is possible because all block chunks could be transferred in parallel and independently.
US07823008B2 Maintaining consistency in a remote copy data storage system
An apparatus configured to operate as a primary for a remote copy pair is provided. The apparatus comprises a journal component at said primary for generating journal entries for one or more uncompleted sequenced batches; a configurator responsive to an error indication from a secondary for enumeration of said one or more uncompleted sequenced batches; and a primary server responsive to said enumeration of said one or more uncompleted sequenced batches to reissue to said secondary one or more write requests for said one or more uncompleted sequenced batches, during recovery processing.
US07823007B2 Apparatus, system, and method for switching a volume address association in a point-in-time copy relationship
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for switching a volume address association in a point-in-time copy relationship. A copy module creates a point-in-time copy structure of a source volume at a target volume. A migration module copies data from the source volume to the target volume. A detection module detects data corruption in the source volume. A switch module switches a logical volume address from a source volume address of the source volume to a target volume address of the target volume in response to detecting the data corruption, redirecting data reads and writes to the target volume. In one embodiment, a tracking module tracks a current target volume copy of source volume data and redirects an access for source volume data without the current target volume copy to the source volume.
US07823006B2 Analyzing problem signatures
A method of analyzing problem data from a computer application is disclosed. The method evaluates a memory dump, identifying call stacks within the memory dump that are related to application failures, creates a hash of the identified call stack and adds the hash to a database. The database may then be evaluated to look for trends in the error data such as whether the same call stack is causing problems.
US07823005B2 Communications system
A method for the monitoring and modification of communications in a communications system and a related communications system with a number of intercommunicating first nodes in which the intercommunication comprises desired communications and may comprise undesired communications; in which the system also comprises a further node for monitoring and modifying the communications; in which the further node comprises means for modifying the undesired communications and/or introducing further communications to change the operation of the system.
US07823003B1 Voltage referencing clock for source-synchronous multi-level signal buses
An input circuit is provided for coupling to a source-synchronous multi-level bus carrying data, clock, and complementary clock signals. The clock and complementary clock signals have a less than full voltage swing than the data signal so they can act as reference voltages for the data signal. The circuit includes a first differential receiver having inputs coupled to the data and the clock signals, a second differential receiver having inputs coupled to the data signal and a reference signal, and a third differential receiver having inputs coupled to the data and the complementary clock signals. The circuit further includes first, second, and third flip-flops having data inputs coupled to outputs of the first, the second, and the third differential receivers, and clock inputs coupled to a delayed clock signal generated from the clock and the complementary clock signals. The outputs of the flip-flops determine the level of the data signal.
US07822996B2 Method for implementing thermal management in a processor and/or apparatus and/or system employing the same
A method for detecting temperature associated with a processor, results of the detecting being used for controlling power dissipation associated with the processor and/or apparatus and/or system employing the same.
US07822994B2 Data bus line and bus having an encryption/decryption device
The present application relates to a data bus line to secure secrecy of digital data without a complicated exchange of hardware and decreasing processing speed.
US07822981B2 Communication apparatus and authenticating method
A communication apparatus and authenticating method prevent mistaken authentication at initial authentication in a connection between communication apparatuses. The communication apparatus includes an authentication processing unit which manages each state of the communication apparatus. The states include an authentication initiation permissible state, an authentication initiation impermissible state, an authentication initiation state, an authenticating state, an authentication successful state, an authentication unsuccessful state and an authentication completed state. Additionally, the authentication processing unit performs authentication with another communication apparatus, and stops the authentication when a plurality of authentication messages is received while in the authentication initiation state and the authenticating state. A conflict detection unit detects that a plurality of authentication messages has been received; a display unit displays each state; and an input unit accepts the state change from authentication initiation permissible to authentication initiation (an authentication initiation operation), and from authentication successful to authentication completed (an authentication completion operation).
US07822977B2 System for eliminating unauthorized electronic mail
A system for eliminating unauthorized email sent to a user on a network analyzes the sender address of incoming email and determines whether it is to be rejected by returning a standard “no such user” error code or accepted depending upon executing processing rules and analyzing managed lists of authorized senders. This provides an advantage over existing anti-spam filtering systems by intercepting unauthorized email before it reaches an existing email server or client. The system rejects all email unless authorized by using a standard “no such user” error code, and by redirecting the unauthorized email back to the sender or to a sender evaluation site. An ASL module captures authorized sender addresses from the user's outgoing email and other sources in order to update “authorized senders” lists. The system may employ a WBM procedure that notifies senders of rejected email to go to a separate website and register as valid senders after passing an interaction test that precludes automatic registration by a mechanical program. A destination proxy email address procedure allows subscribers to use temporary proxy addresses for receiving email expected from unknown sources and instantiates senders as authorized upon receiving the expected email to the proxy addresses. The unauthorized-email rejection component can be readily configured as a hardware or software appliance used in tandem with a conventional email server, email gateway, or firewall to an intranet, or as a software extension to an existing firewall system.
US07822974B2 Implicit trust of authorship certification
Techniques for establishing implicit trust of authorship certification are provided. A message's domain is validated in response to a valid domain certificate. A message's author is validated in response to an author identification, which is acquired from the message and which is supplied to a domain service of the author. The domain service is implicitly trusted based on the domain being validated via the domain certificate. The domain service uses the author's identification to traverse to a specific location within the domain that houses an author certificate for the author. The author certificate is compared against a message certificate that accompanies the message in order to establish trust with the author and the author's message.
US07822969B2 Watermark systems and methods
Various improvements relating to digital watermarking and related technologies are detailed, including methods that enhance security and functionality, and new articles including watermarked puzzles and marked DNA.
US07822966B2 Extended trusted computing base
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for extending a trusted computing base (TCB). According to one embodiment, a first level trusted computing base (TCB) is generated having hardware components including a trusted platform module (TPM), and an extended TCB is formed by adding a second level software-based TCB to the first level TCB, and properties associated with the first level TCB are transferred to the second level TCB.
US07822965B2 BIOS file switching method and controller device thereof
A file switching method of a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) file is disclosed. Upon a received read instruction, a timer for a predetermined timing is initiated, and a first data page having a requested data is read from a first BIOS file. An error correction check on the first data page is performed to check if any error in the first data page. If an error is occurred in the error correction check, repeating the step “reading the first data page”. If number of times of the repeating step exceeds a predetermined number, or if the predetermined timing is expired, a second data page having the requested data is read from a second BIOS file according to the read instruction.
US07822963B2 Remote computer operating system upgrade
Methods of upgrading a kernel image of a remote computer are described. The method comprises, during a first connection between an update computer and a remote computer, storing a kernel version identifier of the active kernel image of the remote computer; storing active boot partition information comprising the active kernel boot partition of the remote computer; setting the active boot partition of the remote computer as a safe boot partition; storing a second kernel image at the remote computer, wherein the second kernel image comprises a second kernel version identifier; setting the remote computer to boot from the second kernel image; rebooting the remote computer; and, during a second connection between the update computer and the remote computer, marking the second kernel image as a safe kernel image if the active kernel version is the same as the second kernel version identifier.
US07822962B2 Application software configured to work with two operating systems
An application software is provided to work with two operating systems of a computer. A first mode of the application software is configured to work with the computer before the primary operating system is booted. The second mode of the application software is provided to work under the environment provide by the primary operation system.
US07822961B2 Semi-persistent relocatable ram-based virtual floppy disk method
The invention is a method and related structure for providing operating system drivers during installation of the operating system, where those operating system drivers are provided by way of a virtual disk drive. Basic input/output system (BIOS) routines are adapted to support showing these operating system drivers as residing on a virtual disk drive within the system. The operating system drivers are stored in the unreserved ROM space of the computer. Further, multiple floppy images are stored in the ROM, and the BIOS is adapted to show only the floppy image appropriate for the operating system to be installed. The virtual drive contents may be those operating system drivers stored in the unreserved ROM, but also may be physically stored in RAM.
US07822956B2 Low power digital audio decoding/playing system for computing devices
A computer system includes a system CPU responsive to a control signal to load a first operating system or a second operating system. The first operating system is run by the computer system in a first operation mode and the second operating system is run by the computer system in a second entertainment mode. A PC operating in an entertainment mode may operate a variety of entertainment software applications. A quick boot process is also provided. The quick boot process may include an accelerated BIOS boot process that defers and delays appropriate tasks. The quick boot process may also include: detecting a condition; performing a BIOS boot process; loading an image file associated with the condition; and executing the image file associated with the condition. The condition may be that associated hardware is unchanged from a previous boot. A parental control system is also disclosed.
US07822955B2 Data processing apparatus and method for utilizing endianess independent data values
The present invention provides a technique for swapping data values within a data word. In particular, a single endian reverse instruction is provided to cause independent swap operations to be performed on particular sections of an input data word. The data processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a data processing unit for executing instructions which is responsive to the endian reverse instruction to apply an endian reverse operation to an input data word Rm comprising a plurality of data values. The endian reverse operation yields a result data word Rd given by: treating the input data word as consisting of a plurality of input sections, the result data word having a corresponding plurality of result sections, at least one input section comprising a plurality of data values; and for at least one of the input sections comprising a plurality of data values, performing an independent swap operation on the data values within that input section to form the result data word Rd in which the corresponding result section has its data values swapped with respect to that input section. This provides a particularly efficient technique for providing endian reversal functionality within a data processing apparatus supporting a variety of data structures, such as packed halfwords, zero extended halfwords, sign extended halfwords, etc.
US07822949B2 Command supply device that supplies a command read out from a main memory to a central processing unit
A command supply device supplies a command sequence that forms a loop. A loop command buffer accumulates a first partial command sequence. The first partial command sequence is a head part of a first command sequence repeatedly supplied to a CPU from among command sequences stored in a main memory, and is accumulated before the first command sequence is supplied to the CPU again. A linking command buffer accumulates a second partial command sequence. The second partial command sequence follows the first partial command sequence in the first command sequence, and is accumulated while the accumulated first partial command sequence in the loop command buffer is supplied to the CPU. A selection circuit supplies, to the CPU, a command from the accumulated second partial command sequence in the linking command buffer when the entirety of the first partial command sequence has been supplied to the CPU.
US07822945B2 Configuration managing device for a reconfigurable circuit
A semiconductor device including a multi-layer interconnection substrate having a signal distribution interconnection and a power supply line and semiconductor circuit blocks installed on the multi-layer interconnection substrate for performing required operations. The multi-layer substrate includes a third interconnection layer having interconnections extending in a first direction, a second interconnection layer having interconnections extending in a second direction which is different to the first direction, and a first interconnection layer having interconnections extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
US07822943B2 Microprocessor with improved data stream prefetching using multiple transaction look-aside buffers (TLBs)
Systems, methods and computer program products for improving data stream prefetching in a microprocessor are described herein. The method includes the steps of: 1) translating an address associated with a first type of memory access request in a first translation look-aside buffer (TLB) to provide an address translation associated with only a first type of memory access request; 2) translating an address associated with a second type or memory access request in a second translation look-aside buffer a second TLB to provide an address translation associated with only a second type of memory access request, wherein the first and second types are different; 3) receiving first status information from the first TLB; 4) receiving second status information from the second TLB; 5) providing a control signal to a selector based on the received first and second status information, the control signal indicating whether to use the address translation from the first TLB or the second TLB; and 6) selecting whether to use the address translation from the first TLB or second TLB in according with the control signal.
US07822942B2 Selectively invalidating entries in an address translation cache
An apparatus and method selectively invalidate entries in an address translation cache instead of invalidating all, or nearly all, entries. One or more translation mode bits are provided in each entry in the address translation cache. These translation mode bits may be set according to the addressing mode used to create the cache entry. One or more “hint bits” are defined in an instruction that allow specifying which of the entries in the address translation cache are selectively preserved during an invalidation operation according to the value(s) of the translation mode bit(s). In the alternative, multiple instructions may be defined to preserve entries in the address translation cache that have specified addressing modes. In this manner, more intelligence is used to recognize that some entries in the address translation cache may be valid after a task or partition switch, and may therefore be retained, while other entries are invalidated.
US07822941B2 Function-based virtual-to-physical address translation
A computer system employing memory virtualization may employ a function-based technique for virtual-to-physical address translation. A function-based translation technique may involve replacing a generic trap handler and one or more translation table look-ups with a function to compute a corresponding physical address from a given virtual address. The computer system may be configured to determine a translation function dependent on mappings in one or more translation tables. The computer system may be configured to reorganize a memory, to reorganize one or more translation tables, or to allocate different blocks of memory to an application prior to determining a translation function. Different applications or threads executing on the computer system may employ different translation functions. Different regions of memory may be accessed using different translation functions. Some virtual addresses may be translated using a function while others may be translated using one or more translation table look-ups.
US07822937B2 Method and apparatus for modifying reserve area of disk drive or memory
The present invention is directed to a method for allocating resources in a disk drive having a user accessible area, a reserve area, and a boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area. A capacity of the disk drive accessible to the user is read, the boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area so as to increase the reserve area, and information is inputted to the increased reserve area.
US07822933B1 Enabling off-host data migration using volume translation mappings, snappoint maps and linked volume technologies
Enabling an off-host computer to migrate data of a data volume. In one embodiment, the off-host computer copies data contents of n data blocks of a first data volume to n data blocks, respectively, of a second data volume. A host computer is capable of modifying data contents of a first plurality of data blocks of the n data blocks of the first data volume after the off-host computer begins copying data contents of the n data blocks of the first data volume to the n data blocks, respectively, of the second data volume.
US07822931B2 File storage device, host apparatus, method for formatting nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and method of writing data in nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A file storage device includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory which is accessed by a file system of a host apparatus. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory has a user data area. The user data area is accessible by the file system. Device information indicates that the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory and is written in the user data area.
US07822930B1 Balanced allocation of multiple resources, or of multiple resources from multiple providers
A system calculates the optimal allocation of two or more resources provided by a resource provider to a task within a computer system from a plurality of possible allocations. In doing so, the system calculates the total volume of an N-dimensional cube, where N is the number of resources provided by the resource provider, representing the respective amounts of resources available to be allocated. The system also calculates the average volume of the N−1 dimensional shapes forming the sides of the N-dimensional cube. The system then calculates, at least partly from the ratio of the total volume to the average volume, the balance resulting from the allocation of resources represented by the N-dimensional cube. The system then calculates the imbalance resulting from the allocation of resources at least partly from the balance and determines the smallest imbalance as the optimal allocation of resources.
US07822928B2 Storage device and storage device data life cycle control method
A storage device including a control part which performs control by extracting a life tag specifying a retention term during which the data is to be retained in the second volume having the quicker access time than the first volume, the control part managing the retention term of the corresponding data as specified by the life tag, and an elapsed term which has elapsed since the corresponding data was stored. A storage part manages update segment control information, and when the elapsed term of certain data exceeds the retention term of the certain data, the storage part nullifies the certain data in the second volume.
US07822922B2 Accessing data storage systems without waiting for read errors
Improved techniques for accessing data storage systems are disclosed. These techniques detect, correct and prevent undesirable access delays experienced in storage systems. “Slow-access” refers to an access operation that does not successfully complete within a predetermined amount of time. When slow-access is detected, an attempt is made to provide data by other means rather than waiting for the access operation to eventually complete. By way of example, parity information is used to generate data rather than waiting beyond a predetermined amount of time for a “slow-read” operation to complete. In addition, preventative measures can be taken to avoid reoccurrence of a “slow-access” operating once it has been identified. These preventative measures, for example, include rewriting the same data to the same data section that caused the slow-access problem or remapping the section to another section in order to avoid the same section of data to cause another slow access problem.
US07822919B2 Storage device using nonvolatile cache memory and control method thereof
A data process can be performed without lowering the data processing efficiency even when the sector length of the host device side is different from the sector length of the hard disk side. Partial data or whole data of a second data block which is based on a long sector defined on the hard disk side and surrounds the starting end and terminating end addresses of a first data block based on a host-defined sector is read from the hard disk and written to a flash memory before the data process using the flash memory as a cache is performed based on the command.
US07822918B2 Preallocated disk queuing
A method, system and computer program product for managing preallocated disk space are presented. The method includes placing a plurality of requests for preallocated disk space on a disk space request queue, wherein each preallocated disk space is preallocated for a fixed amount of disk space and a fixed length of time, and wherein an application using an issued preallocated disk space for more than the fixed length of time results in the application being barred from further current use of the issued preallocated disk space. The requests are sorted in the disk space request queue according to a priority algorithm that establishes a priority level for each of the requests, and preallocated disk space is allocated to requesters according to the priority level established by the priority algorithm.
US07822917B2 Mass storage system with user interface
A mass storage system usable with a storage device is described. The mass storage system includes a housing, a device interface, a user interface, a controller, and a connector. The device interface is operatively coupled with the housing for connecting with a storage device. The user interface is connected with the housing and operatively coupled with the device interface for accessing information about a storage device connected via the device interface. The controller operatively coupled with the device interface and the user interface for controlling the mass storage system. The connector is connected with the controller for coupling the mass storage system to an external processing device.
US07822913B2 Emulation of a NAND memory system
A system and a method for emulating a NAND memory system are disclosed. In the method, a command associated with a NAND memory is received. After receipt of the command, a vertically configured non-volatile memory array is accessed based on the command. In the system, a vertically configured non-volatile memory array is connected with an input/output controller and a memory controller. The memory controller is also connected with the input/output controller. The memory controller is operative to interface with a command associated with a NAND memory and based on the command, to access the vertically configured non-volatile memory array for a data operation, such as a read operation or write operation. An erase operation on the vertically configured non-volatile memory array is not required prior to the write operation. The vertically configured non-volatile memory array can be partitioned into planes, blocks, and sub-planes, for example.
US07822910B2 Method of flexible memory segment assignment using a single chip select
Embodiments of the invention may generally provide techniques that allow mapping of memory devices in a multi-chip package (MCP) to memory segments of an address space. For some embodiments, a multi-bit device ID, which corresponds to a memory segment to which that device is mapped, is loaded for each memory device. Higher order address bits are then compared to the device IDs assigned to each device. An internally generated chip select line is asserted for a device having a match between the address bits and its device ID.
US07822908B2 Discovery of a bridge device in a SAS communication system
An embodiment of the present invention includes a communication system configured to conform to SAS standard and causing communication between one or more hosts and a SATA/SAS device. The communication system includes a multi-port bridge device including two or more SAS ports through which the bridge device communicates to hosts. The multi-port bridge device further includes a SATA port through which the bridge device communicates to a SATA device, each said SAS ports having associated therewith addresses for identifying the ports, the bridge device operative to generate addresses unique to each SAS port and operative to communicate the port addresses, through a SAS frame, wherein identification of SAS ports is achievable even when the SATA device is inoperational.
US07822905B2 Bridges capable of controlling data flushing and methods for flushing data
A bridge capable of preventing data inconsistency is provided, in which a first master device outputs a flush request, a buffering unit buffers data or instructions, and a flush request control circuit records a buffer write pointer of the buffer according to the flush request and outputs a flush acknowledgement signal to the first master device in response of that a buffer read pointer of the buffering unit is identical to the recorded buffer write pointer.
US07822904B2 Capturing read data
Various techniques for capturing read data from a memory bus are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computing system includes a memory device, a memory bus in communication with the memory device, a memory bus interface, a local bus, and a local bus interface. The local bus interface may be coupled to the local bus and configured to receive a data strobe signal and data signal from the memory bus. The local bus interface may include a buffer and a delay circuit configured to align an edge of the data strobe signal with the center of a data eye of the data signal. In this manner, the computing system may ensure that data is valid when written to the buffer.
US07822903B2 Single bus command having transfer information for transferring data in a processing system
A processing system and method for transferring data in a processing system. The processing system includes a bus mastering device, a plurality of slave devices, and a bus interconnect configured to switch the bus mastering device between the slave devices. Each of the slave devices has a plurality of addresses. The bus interconnect includes a DMA controller configured to transfer data from a first one of the addresses to a second one of the addresses in response to a single bus command from the bus mastering device.
US07822898B2 Method and apparatus for border node behavior on a full-duplex bus
A method and apparatus relating to the behavior of border nodes within a high performance serial bus system is disclosed.A method for determining and communicating the existence of a hybrid bus is disclosed. A method for determining a path to a senior border node is disclosed, as is a method for identifying a senior border node Various methods for properly issuing gap tokens within a beta cloud are disclosed.
US07822897B2 System and methods for connecting multiple functional components
The present invention relates to a flexible and reconfigurable bus fabric for microelectronic processing units, which can offer efficient memory data management, together with efficient data transfer and relieving data transfer congestion in an integrated circuit. In an embodiment, the present reconfigurable bus fabric comprises a multistate intersection between two data buses. Preferably, the multistate intersection comprises at least two states, a connecting state connecting the two data buses, and a disconnecting state disconnecting the two data buses. The multistate intersection provides a reconfigurable bus fabric, allowing different connection configuration for the data buses. This reconfigurable bus fabric offers soft-configurability and soft-reconfigurability, using software programming to arrange the circuits' interconnections. Other configurations are also disclosed in exemplary embodiments.
US07822890B2 Bidirectional data repeater switch
A bidirectional repeater and data multiplexer for serial data has A-side 12C port devices A1-A4 coupled to comparators 302-308 and pull-downs to ground 316-322. Comparator outputs are coupled responsive to select lines S1-S4 of N:1 Select 310 to terminal A1 of bidirectional control 210 to control pull-down to non-zero low voltage Vp 206 at B-side device B. An inverting comparator 208 coupled to terminal B1 of bidirectional control 210 responds to input threshold voltage Vt less than low voltage Vp, to prevent data lockup due to data flowback to devices A1-A4. Output data from comparator 208 is coupled responsive to select lines S1-S4 of 1:N Select 312 to control pull-downs 316-322. This selectively repeats routing of device A1-A4 data to device B. Data from device B is selectively routed to pull-downs of devices A1-A4.
US07822889B2 Direct/indirect transmission of information using a multi-tiered full-graph interconnect architecture
A mechanism is provided for transmitting data in a data network. A first processor of the data network receives data to be transmitted to a second processor within the data network. A determination is made if the data has previously been routed through an indirect communication link from a source processor, the indirect communication link being a communication link that does not directly couple the source processor to a final destination processor which is to receive the data. A communication link is selected over which to transmit the data from the first processor to the second processor based on results of determining if the data has previously been routed through an indirect communication link. Finally, the data is transmitted from the first processor to the second processor using the selected communication link.
US07822888B2 Data buffer control which controls selection of path and operation of data buffer, based on stored configuration information
An operation apparatus includes a sequencer controlling states of a plurality of operation devices and a configuration memory storing therein configuration information as setting information for each state in the operation device. In the operation apparatus, a path which requires a data buffer and another path which requires no such a data buffer are provided for inputting data to the operation device, a data buffer control part is provided for controlling selection from these two paths and operation of the data buffer, and contents of path selection and operation control of the data buffer carried out by the data buffer control part are set according to the configuration information.
US07822887B2 Multi-channel solid-state storage system
A data storage system includes a data management system that transfers data between a host system and multiple storage devices through multiple channels. The data management system receives data from the host system and writes the data as data segments to the multiple storage devices. Each data segment may comprise one sector, more than one sector, or a portion of a sector, depending on the embodiment. The data segments are transferred to and from the multiple storage devices in parallel fashion while the data in each data segment is transferred to its corresponding data storage device sequentially. The data management system reassembles data segments received from the data storage devices and sends the data to the host system.
US07822884B2 Distributed direct memory access provision within a data processing system
An adaptor circuit 20 for peripheral devices 14, 18 is provided with a direct memory access manager 38. This local direct memory access manager 38 is able to autonomously manage data transfers on behalf of its associated peripheral device 14, 18. A computer program tools used to generate signal interconnects 24 is used to additionally specify whether a DMA capability is to be provided for a peripheral device 14, 18, whereupon an adaptor circuit 20, 22 including a DMA manager 38 can be included within the signal interconnect. A DMA command signal is added to the interconnect signals being passed around the signal interconnect 24 and enables DMA command/configuration data to be distributed using the existing signal distribution infrastructure and addressed to the associated peripheral device 14, 18 of the target local DMA controller 38. Existing software drivers can issue control information to a main central DMA controller 6, which then passes this information on to a DMA Capable adaptor circuit 20 to manage the transfer concerned. Thus the present technique can be used without requiring software drivers to be rewritten.
US07822881B2 Process for automatic dynamic reloading of data flow processors (DFPs) and units with two- or three-dimensional programmable cell architectures (FPGAs, DPGAs, and the like)
In a data-processing method, first result data may be obtained using a plurality of configurable coarse-granular elements, the first result data may be written into a memory that includes spatially separate first and second memory areas and that is connected via a bus to the plurality of configurable coarse-granular elements, the first result data may be subsequently read out from the memory, and the first result data may be subsequently processed using the plurality of configurable coarse-granular elements. In a first configuration, the first memory area may be configured as a write memory, and the second memory area may be configured as a read memory. Subsequent to writing to and reading from the memory in accordance with the first configuration, the first memory area may be configured as a read memory, and the second memory area may be configured as a write memory.
US07822880B2 User interfaces for peripheral configuration
Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide a method for the configuration of peripheral devices. In some methods for configuring peripheral devices, configuration options available for a peripheral device are enumerated and listed as files associated with a virtual drive representing the peripheral device. In some embodiments the files may be given descriptive names related to the configuration options they represent. In some embodiments, icons in a user window may denote the virtual drive, and its associated files and folders. In some methods for configuring peripheral devices, when the icon for a file associated with the virtual drive is dragged onto the icon for the virtual drive, the configuration of the scanning device associated with the virtual drive is automatically changed to match the configuration associated with the file.
US07822876B1 Time based content management for disconnected devices
Systems and methods for time based management of digital content used with electronic devices lacking a connection to a common reference time keeping device are provided. Timing calibrations are used that, when applied to times measured by such disconnected electronic devices, allow the devices to calculate modified time measurements that are approximately equal to that of the reference time keeping device. The calibration time and other calibration information for the disconnected electronic devices may be stored by a digital content service and conveyed with digital content transferred from the digital content service to the disconnected electronic devices via portable data storage devices. In this manner, digital content may be consumed by a user on a plurality of disconnected electronic devices without violating license agreements associated with the digital content.
US07822873B1 Intelligent network address translator and methods for network address translation
An intelligent network address translation system and methods for intelligent network address translation. In one embodiment, a network packet is received from a host device, and a stored record associated with the host device is identified. The stored record includes information relating to connection parameters associated with the host device. Using the stored record, a processor determines whether the network packet should be assigned a dedicated address. If so, then the network packet is transmitted using communication parameters including a dedicated IP address. If the packet should not be assigned a dedicated address, then the packet is transmitted using connection parameters including a default public IP address and a port number.
US07822869B2 Adaptation of data centers' bandwidth contribution to distributed streaming operations
Adaptation of data centers' bandwidth contribution to distributed streaming operations, including data centers comprising fractional-storage CDN servers storing erasure-coded fragments encoded with a redundancy factor R greater than one, assembling devices obtaining the fragments from subsets of the servers, and measuring fragment delivery parameters, and at least one decision component that occasionally changes at least some of the servers of the subsets to generally improve the measured parameters. Wherein the smaller the number of subsets in which the servers of a data center participate, the lower the center's fragment delivery throughput, the higher the center's cost of delivering a fragment, and the higher the likelihood of reducing the amount of bandwidth acquired from that data center by the operator of the system.
US07822867B2 Method of sending data packets from a server to a client, the client simultaneously using at a constant rate D the data that it receives
A method is provided for sending data packets from a server to a client. A stream of data packets from the server to the client is composed of a main stream P, a retransmission stream R, and an advance stream A. P and A are fixed when R is zero. A is zero and the sum of P and R are fixed when R is not zero or when the client has accumulated data beyond a given threshold. A packet sent by the server but not received by the client is sent again to the client a given time after it was first sent. A packet sent by the server but not received by the client is sent again to the client only if the latter has already previously received a given number of packets sent by the server.
US07822866B2 Method and system for retrieving content in network system
A home entertainment network includes at least one client device connected to a server over a network, and the client has an interface to removable media. Each piece of removable media has a unique ID, which can be pre-recorded beforehand or assigned by a server. A user selects content from a library in the server(s) and associates it with the ID of a piece of media through the server or client, with the server storing the media ID as well as information to identify the associated content. Unlike a conventional removable media system, however, no content data is on the media. To play back the content, a user simply engages the media with a client device, which retrieves the media ID, sends it to the server, and receives in exchange from the server the associated content.
US07822862B2 Method of satisfying a demand on a network for a network resource
A demand on a server farm or local area network for a farm or network resource is satisfied. The farm or network has a demand director server, a first resource server having a first resource, and a second resource server having a second, different, resource. The director server is aware of what resources are held on the first and second resource servers. In response to a request for one of the first and second resources, one of the first and second resource servers is selected to serve out the requested resource and direct the request to the selected one of the first and second resource servers. The demand server selects an appropriate one of the resource servers to receive the request using its knowledge of where the requested resource is located.
US07822859B2 Conference server redundancy
An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those streams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are obsoleted by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. Complex buffering by system server software allows distributed, parallel, or redundant processing, transmission, and storage for performance, reliability, and robustness. Various parameters of the system can be monitored, and the system can be reconfigured automatically based on the observations. Varied techniques reduce the perceived end-to-end latency and take advantage of software and hardware capabilities that assets connected to the system may possess. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times. Conference participants are either “presenters” who can modify the display or “attendees” who cannot modify the display. A pointer icon, which can be labeled to identify the conferee, is displayed on the shared image area. Each conferee can modify the position of his or her own pointer, even when not presenting, so that every participant can see what each conferee is pointing to, should a conferee choose to point to an element of the display. These and other features apply to other data streams shared in the conference or in meetings where there is no shared-image data stream.
US07822858B2 Techniques for bulk refresh of sessions in IP networks
Techniques for providing a bulk refresh of sessions in a network are provided. A plurality of session identifiers for sessions that were created are determined. These session identifiers may be included in a bulk refresh message. The bulk refresh message is sent to a device configured to determine if sessions associated with the plurality of session identifiers are active or inactive. The device then sends a response to the refresh requestor. The response can be used to determine which sessions are active or inactive. After the determination, actions can be taken in order to clear the hanging session. For example, the session may be torn down or a BYE message may be sent to end the session on a peer device.
US07822857B2 Methods and systems for sharing remote access
In one embodiment, a first client device establishes a remote session between a remote computing device and the first client device. One or more subsequent client devices that attempt to establish a remote session with the remote computing device are re-directed to another computing device that serves as a host for the remote session.
US07822853B2 Stabilization of distributed systems
One or more embodiments, described herein, are directed towards a technology for analyzing a distributed system in order to determine one or more inconsistencies placing the distributed system in an unstable state. Once the one or more inconsistencies are determined, one or more operations reconciling the inconsistencies are defined in order to stabilize the distributed system.
US07822852B2 Method for adaptively modifying the observed collective behavior of individual sensor nodes based on broadcasting of parameters
A method for continually controlling the collective behavior of a set of computing devices in a distributed data processing system. A gateway node disseminates a specification request comprising a set of parameters to a set of computing devices. The gateway node may be unaware of the number and identity of individual computing devices. Each computing node receiving the request determines whether its attributes satisfy the predicates expressed in the specification request. If so, the node processes the parameters in the specification request and modifies its own behavior based on the values in the parameters of the specification request. Subsequently, the gateway node may also observe the quality of information (QoI) values communicated from the set of computing devices. The gateway node iteratively modifies the parameters disseminated in subsequent specification requests based on a divergence between a computed quality of information value and a desired quality of information value.
US07822848B2 Alert log activity thread integration
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to alert management in an activity-centric collaborative computing environment and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for activity thread integration of an alert log. In one embodiment of the invention, an alert log activity thread integration method can be provided. The method can include logging a reference to an alert for an activity in an activity thread, and, in response to the selection of the alert from within the activity thread, displaying the content of the alert. For instance, logging a reference to an alert for an activity in an activity thread can include creating a branch of the activity thread for inserting all alerts pertaining to the activity and inserting the reference to the alert in the created branch.
US07822843B2 Predicting the activities of an individual or group using minimal information
A method and system are provided for predicting the behavior of an individual, e.g., one engaged in an on-line session, based on a comparison of the individual's activities during that session with those participated in by multiple other parties. The individual's activities during the session and certain attendant conditions are monitored and compared with a continually updated database that reflects (a) the cumulative activities of all other parties and their attendant conditions and (b) behavioral trends exhibited by those other parties based on their participation in various types of activities under various conditions. When similarities are detected between the individual's activities and their attendant conditions and those of certain other parties, the corresponding behavioral trend of those other parties is attributed to the individual. The method and system are implemented in connection with an interactive service, for example, in an Internet environment, wherein the prediction of behavior involves identifying web sites that are likely to be visited by the individual. This prediction can be used to initiate the delivery of informational content targeted to that individual.
US07822840B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic web service client application update
A method for managing a web service client update without recompiling or redeploying of the client code includes the following steps or acts of: receiving a request for the web service from a subscribed client; transmitting the request to the web service; receiving notification of the web service update from a service provider or registry or some other means; parsing the notification and retrieving parameters describing the web service update; marshalling the parameters; determining whether the new web service update is compatible with the current web service invoked by the client application; updating the local service proxy instance with the marshaled parameters if the new web service update is compatible with the current web service invoked by the client application; and transmitting a notification if the web service update is not compatible with the current web service invoked by the client application.
US07822835B2 Logically centralized physically distributed IP network-connected devices configuration
A logically centralized physically distributed Internet protocol (IP) network-connected devices configuration is disclosed. The technology initially receives configuration information regarding an IP network-connected devices configuration. The configuration information is then disseminated to a plurality of devices coupled with the IP network-connected devices configuration. At least a portion of the IP network-connected devices configuration with a related timestamp is then stored on any of the plurality of devices having a datastore thereon. In so doing, the IP network-connected devices configuration is physically distributed and at least partially replicated such that when a comparison of a status information with respect to at least one of the network-connected devices, the status information having a most recent timestamp associated therewith is relied upon.
US07822834B2 Wireless communication system for exchanging signals between computer and device and computer and device used in such system
A communication system includes a computer and a device. The computer includes a signal transmission unit to output a signal by wireless communication in accordance with a first wireless setting, and a setting data sending unit to transmit a second wireless setting data to the device in accordance with the first wireless setting. The device includes a detection unit to detect the signal output while changing a wireless setting for the device, a replying unit to return identification data corresponding to the source of the signal in accordance with a wireless setting used after detection of the signal, a receiving unit to receive the second wireless setting data in accordance with the wireless setting used after detection of the signal, after the replying unit transmits the identification data, and a setting unit makes the wireless setting in accordance with the second wireless setting data.
US07822833B2 System for creating and validating configurations of offline field devices in a process control system
A method includes receiving a first proposed value or attribute for a parameter associated with a field device. The field device is or will be used in a process control system. The method also includes determining whether the first proposed value or attribute is valid using a device description associated with the field device. The method further includes, if the first proposed value or attribute is not valid, receiving a second proposed value or attribute for the parameter associated with the field device and determining whether the second proposed value or attribute is valid. The determinations of whether the first and second proposed values or attributes are valid could occur when the field device is offline in the process control system. The method could further include receiving a configuration having multiple values or attributes for multiple parameters associated with the field device and validating at least some of those values or attributes.
US07822831B2 Method, system and program product for preserving and restoring mobile device user settings
Under the present invention, an enterprise application and corresponding client properties file is provided on a mobile device. Upon initiation of the mobile device, the client properties file is read into application memory. The user can then make modifications to the client properties file to change the user settings as he/she desires. If an updated properties file is later received from the server, it is reconciled with the client properties file. Thus, the user's modifications are not discarded or overwritten. In addition, the reconciled properties file could be synchronized to the server so that if the mobile device is lost or fails, the user's settings can be restored.
US07822826B1 Deployment of a web service
A computing device may receive a Web service archive that includes a Web service implementation and a Web service deployment descriptor. The Web service deployment descriptor may specify how the Web service implementation is to be configured on the computing device. The computing device may deploy a Web service based, at least in part, on the received Web service archive.
US07822825B2 Device and method for centralized data management and a access control to databases
A profile access mediator provides to a plurality of service providers controlled and logically centralized access to personal profiles stored in a local or distributed database. The access to the databases containing user, service or terminal profiles is controlled and tracked by a plurality of personalized access technologies which are dependent on the typology of the data involved. Such a scheme allows for better control of the data access, more efficiency in the security and accounting processes, as well as in the data access in general.
US07822823B2 Systems for communicating current and future activity information among mobile internet users and methods therefor
A computer-implemented method implemented via the Internet for coordinating a current or future event between a user of a mobile Internet device and other users communicating through the Internet. The method includes receiving the current or future activity information pertaining to the future event from the user via the mobile Internet device. The current activity pertains to an activity occurring at a current time relative to a time the future activity information is received. The future activity pertains to an activity occurring at a future time relative to a time the future activity information is received. The method further includes transmitting the current or future activity information to a backend database coupled to the Internet, the backend database being remote from the mobile Internet device. The method further includes rendering the current or future activity information accessible to at least one recipient via the Internet. The recipient represents a subset of the users coupled to the Internet and having access privilege to information pertaining to the current or future event involving the user.
US07822817B2 Method and system of data collection and mapping from a remote position reporting device
A computer-implemented system, method, and computer-program product for tracking and mapping a position of mobile object. A global position satellite receiver and information from at least two global position satellites is used to determine a position of a mobile object with the global position satellite receiver. The position of the mobile object is reported via the Internet to a recipient in search of the mobile object. A remote position reporting device of the monitoring system can be part of or attached to any mobile object such as a child, a skier, a car, and expensive items. The remote position reporting device includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, monitoring software and an Internet access module. The monitoring software (e.g., a dynamic link library) supports multiple data formats and multiple protocols to communicate the position information. The GPS receiver provides the monitoring software with position information at prescribed times, and the monitoring software records the position information. The monitoring software communicates the position information at prescribed times to a desired party through the Internet access module. The recipient of the position information can provide the information to a mapping software application that identifies the remote position reporting device and the current location of the device on a map. The mapping software can place all the previous position information from the remote position reporting device on the map to show the path of the device. The mapping software can use the services of a POP3 server or an FTP server to obtain position information at any time to map the current location and the past location of the remote position reporting device.
US07822814B2 Determining on demand right size buffering within a socket server implementation
Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for acquiring a buffer after data from a remote sender (e.g., client) has been received by a local machine (e.g., server). Because the client data has already been received when the buffer is acquired, the buffer may be sized exactly to the size of the client data. In general, the buffer may be caller supplied or system supplied.
US07822813B2 Storing and accessing media files
A content storage and distribution networked system is described. The system includes at least one local network at a first physical premises, at least one audio-video storage device in communication with the local network, and at least two client devices in communication with the local network. The audio-video storage device is configured to store at least one media file, which includes at least video. The first client device is configured to enable the two client device to simultaneously access the at least one media file stored on the audio-video storage device. The system is configured to cause playback of media that is associated with the retrieved media file, and to enable the user of the first client device to operate on the playback of the media associated with the retrieved media file, using at least the operations of start, stop, pause, fast forward, and reverse.
US07822807B2 Content providing method utilizing client storage areas to provide content over a network
A method and a computer readable medium for implementing the method provide content to a second information processing device over a network after reading the content from a storage area in response to a demand from the second information processing device.
US07822806B2 Real-time data interface and method for browsers and the like
Systems and methods provide a real-time data display and interface for a network device by loading a page in a browser (115), the page including an engine which is executed in the browser (120) and used to automatically load a definition file (125) from a remote source in response to content within the page. Widgets are instantiated for display in the interface, each making data requests (145) at intervals which are forwarded to one or more servers in communication with the network device. Requested data is received (160) and presented in the interface there by providing the user with dynamically updated data (165). An engine for driving such display comprises executable code configured to instantiate one or more widgets for rendering within the display of the real-time data interface. The engine further includes a reference to a definition file which defines prescribed parameters for one or more of the widgets.
US07822797B2 System and method for generating initial vectors
Methods and systems are disclosed for generating random numbers and initial vectors. A random number generator generates one or more random numbers that are used to repetitively seed pseudo random number generators so that the pseudo random number generators generate random numbers. Thus, a single random number generator may be used to simultaneously generate several random numbers. The random numbers generated by the pseudo random number generators may be used as initial vectors in encryption engines.
US07822794B2 Data recording apparatus and data file transmission method in data recording apparatus
The invention has as its object to selectively reproduce on an external apparatus apart of digital data with index that a user wants to reproduce out of the digital data being made up of audio data and/or video data without having to use an application program dedicated for the external apparatus.The present invention is characterized in that in a case that a data file linked with a position information file is to be transmitted to the external apparatus, there are provided a data file divider which performs division processing on the data file on the basis of predetermined positions on the time axis of the digital data specified by the position information to thereby create a plurality of divided data files and a data file transmitter for transmitting the divided data files created by the data file divider to the external apparatus.
US07822789B2 System and method of providing performance data
A method of providing performance data is disclosed that includes receiving a performance data request at a set-top box device from customer premises equipment. The performance data request identifies a first performance data measurement and the first performance data measurement is related to a performance aspect of the set-top box device. The method also includes identifying a first portion of a data structure that includes the first performance data measurement. The data structure further includes a second portion designated for a second performance data measurement. The data structure is stored at a data storage device associated with the set-top box device. Further, the method includes retrieving the first performance data measurement from the data storage device based on the first portion of the data structure and sending data associated with the first performance data measurement from the set-top box device to the customer premises equipment.
US07822788B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for searching structured document
A condition generating unit generates a hierarchical-type search condition including a search target structure ID and a search result structure ID. A first acquiring unit acquires an object ID corresponding to the search target structure ID to which a vocabulary index is not attached. A candidate generating unit generates a candidate of the search result in which an acquired object ID is associated with the search key as a first constraint condition. A second acquiring unit acquires a search result structure ID complying with a structure constraint. A result acquiring unit acquires an object corresponding to the object ID satisfying the first constraint condition.
US07822782B2 Application package to automatically identify some single stranded RNA viruses from characteristic residues of capsid protein or nucleotide sequences
A system implemented on a computer is disclosed for automatically identifying strains of partial or complete capsid sequences of picorna and caliciviruses, two of the most highly diverse ssRNA virus families.
US07822781B2 Method and system for managing partitioned data resources
In a computing environment, a method for forming an association between a first data object and a second data object includes forming a first association fragment, where the first association fragment includes information relevant to accessing the first data object. The method also includes forming a second association fragment. The second association fragment may include information relevant to accessing the second data object. The first association fragment and the second association fragment cause an association to be effectively formed between the first data object and the second data object.
US07822777B2 Systems and methods for rule inheritance
Systems and methods for automating and increasing the efficiency of access to data using inheritance of access rules within an organization based upon the relationship of positions within the organization and the roles associated with the positions. In one embodiment, a role structure is used in conjunction with a hierarchical organization structure to allow access rules to be inherited by some of the positions from other positions based upon the relationship of positions within the organization and the roles associated with the positions. Access rules can be applied across equivalent or similar positions, yet differentiated between distinct portions of the organization and the distinct roles associated with the positions. Consequently, particular access rules are not necessarily inherited by all of the positions subordinate to a particular position with which the rule originates, and are not necessarily inherited by all of the positions that are associated with a particular role.
US07822772B2 Data processor
A data processor requires setting a plurality of items to a plurality of data sets. The data processor includes a setting unit, a determining unit, a first prompting unit, and a second prompting unit. The setting unit sets an item to a data set. The first prompting unit prompts the setting unit to change the setting of an item from the currently setting item by the setting unit to remaining one of the plurality of items other than the currently setting item when the determining unit determines that a data set which is set for the currently setting item satisfies a prescribed condition for the data set of the currently setting item. The second prompting unit prompts the setting unit to change a setting of an item from the currently setting item by the setting unit to one of the items that has been previously set by the setting unit when the determining unit determines that a data set which is set for the currently setting item is out of conformance with a prescribed condition for the data set of the currently setting item.
US07822771B1 Search query generation
Methods and systems provide automatic search generation capabilities. A search constraint and a control field identifier are received. A search generating module generates a search that when executed returns records from a data store. The records satisfy the search constraint and have identical values for the control field identifier for unique customer identifications.
US07822770B2 Matchmaking of semantic web service behaviour using description logics
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for a web service and comparing a description of a behavior of the requested web service to a description of a behavior of an existing web service. The description of the behavior of the requested web service and the description of the behavior of the computing service conform to a description logic. Based on logical rules of the description logic, it is determined that the description of the behavior of the existing computing service is subsumed by the description of the behavior of the requested web service.
US07822765B2 Component-based control system for collaborative exploratory search systems
Described is a component-based control system involving the interface and middleware layers for collaborative exploratory search. The components include modules for multi-user input and display capabilities, and are individually configurable to allow simultaneous manipulation of multiple search parameters and algorithms. In a collaborative exploratory search, a team of people with a shared information need engage in exploratory search together. This search happens synchronously, leveraging realtime feedback in the search loop. The search team works together, finding patterns and information that each player individually might not have found, and doing so more efficiently than any single person could have. Each team member brings their own expertise and point of view to a shared problem. Distributing tasks and roles among team members leverages individual expertise and creates efficiencies of scale. Supporting the different roles and tasks involves resolving complexities in control and display; a regulatory component performs this task.
US07822763B2 Synonym and similar word page search
A search tool enables users to search for synonyms of, and/or syntactically similar words to search terms that they enter. In at least some embodiments, the search tool is implemented in the context of a web browser for searching web pages. In some embodiments, search terms can be distinctly, visually highlighted on a page, such as a web page, to allow the user to easily identify words that have been found through the search. In at least some embodiments, color coding can be used to uniquely identify exact matches, synonyms and/or syntactically similar words that are identified on a page.
US07822762B2 Entity-specific search model
A system that employs an explicitly and/or implicitly trained model in order to return entity-specific computer-based search results is provided. The innovation can provide for a customized search model that focuses search in connection with achieving information that is meaningful with respect to goals of an entity. The model can be used to modify a search query in accordance with a goal of the entity or to generate the search query thereby returning meaningful and/or targeted results to the user. The system can automatically gather entity-related data thereafter determining or inferring a goal as well as training the model. Moreover, the system can selectively configure (e.g., order, rank, filter) and render results to a user based upon the model.
US07822759B2 Query-driven sharing and syndication
A unique system, user interface, and method that facilitate sharing objects in a query-based storage environment are provided. A query can be generated using metadata and the results therefrom can be obtained and shared with one or more recipients. The query and/or query results can be represented as an icon. Sharing of the query and/or query results can be accomplished in part by dragging the icon to the desired recipient. Queries can be shared as a standing query or a snapshot of the query. For standing queries, recipients can be notified when a set of query results changes. In general, queries can be saved by the user and accessed again at a later time. The user interface provides a plurality of navigation tools to facilitate the viewing of objects based on their metadata and the generation of queries.
US07822757B2 System and method for providing enhanced information
A data integration method involves a unique method of collecting raw business data and processing it to produce highly useful and highly accurate information to enable business decisions. This process includes collecting global data, entity matching, applying an identification number, performing corporate linkage, and providing predictive indicators. These process steps work in series to filter and organize the raw business data and provide quality information to customers. In addition, the information is enhanced by quality assurance at each step in this process to ensure the high quality of the resulting data.
US07822756B1 Storing document-wide structure information within document components
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates disassembling a structure tree containing structure information for a document. During operation, the system assigns unique identifiers to nodes in the structure tree. The system also selectively labels each node in the structure tree with a unique pathname from the root of the structure tree, wherein in the pathname specifies the position of the node in the structure tree. Next, the system merges nodes from the structure tree into components of the document, which contain content items for the document, instead of storing the structure tree separately from the components. In this way, the components can be incorporated into or extracted from the document without losing associated structure information for the document.
US07822744B2 Album creating apparatus, album creating method and computer readable medium
An album creating apparatus for creating an album with an appropriate layout based on an image classification information and an image capturing time. The album creating apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes: an image storage section that stores a plurality of images; an image classification information storage section that stores the image classification information in association with each of the images stored in the image storage section; a classification information importance calculating section for calculating the importance of the image classification information of the image stored in the image storage section; an image classification section that classifies the images stored in the image storage section based on the image classification information when the importance of the image classification information calculated by the classification information importance calculating section is higher than a predetermined reference value; a layout determining section that lays out the image classified by the image classification section into each region in an album; and a positional information inserting section for inserting into the layout region in which the image is laid out by the layout determining section, positional information indicative of the image classification information of the laid out image.
US07822742B2 Modifying relevance ranking of search result items
Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for modifying the rank of search result items returned by a search engine are provided. A search engine determines a plurality of search result items that satisfy a user query and the order the search result items are to be presented to a user. A rank modifier determines whether any modification should be made to the rank of each search result item identified by the search engine. The rank of search result items identified as potential spam may be demoted while the rank of search result items identified to be in the language of the search query, having a high click-through rate, or as containing adjacent search terms from the search query may be promoted. The search result items are presented according to modified ranking to the querying user.
US07822741B2 API for programmatic retrieval and replay of database trace
Trace and replay objects can be designed to automatically perform operations concerning database trace data upon invocation by custom computer processes. Trace data can be saved to any of variety of locations. It can be manipulated for the purpose of storage or replay. Trace data can be played back against any database server using numerous replay configuration options. Replay notifications allow data to be changed just before it is submitted to a database for execution, and allow immediate examination of replay results and validation of playback correctness. Thus, trace and replay objects greatly simplify manageability of trace data. Custom processes can now completely automate security audit and health monitoring of traced database servers. Automatic verification of new server releases and security packs can also be performed. Custom processes can use the provided objects to flexibly access and manipulate the retrieval, storage, and replay of database trace data.
US07822740B2 Estimation of input/output requirements for table probe in join processing
A join operation is costed by estimating the input/output operations (disk swaps) that will be required for retrieval of tuples from the outer and inner tables. A specific method is presented for estimating the number of input/output operations needed for given inner and outer data tables, which method models the retrieval of randomly arranged data from that table.
US07822739B2 Method for exploitation of social networks to derive a location of employees
A method is provided for exploitation of a social network to derive a location of an employee in a corporation utilizing instant messaging or automatic telephone calls. A search request is received for a location of an employee. A social network or acquaintance list of the employee is looked up in a corporate database. A list of contacts of the employee is extracted from the social network or acquaintance list in the corporate database. The list of contacts is presented, in response to the search request. The list of contacts is polled to locate the employee via instant messaging and/or automatic telephone calls. The location of the employee is received, in response to polling the list of contacts. The list of contacts is alerted that the employee has been located.
US07822738B2 Collaborative workspace context information filtering
Architecture that provides real-time opportunistic access to data that is relevant and/or related user activities. Ways are disclosed to use information of a single workspace to structure automatic searches into a number of data stores in order to opportunistically extract relevant information therefrom. An email client can use workspace content to train a filter for identifying new messages deemed relevant or related to the content and topics of the workspace, a system can be provided to use the content of a single web site as contextual data for providing auto-generated links to other sites within the corporate enterprise, a collaborative application can natively understand the content being shared and then look for specific terms in the content which can be employed for generating a search query and returning relevant and/or related data, and combinations thereof are provided for automatically generating and searching data stores for relevant and related information.
US07822736B2 Method and system for managing an index arrangement for a directory
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing an index arrangement for a directory includes storing a plurality of data values from the directory in an alternate evaluator. The alternate evaluator includes a processor operable to process a directory operation. The method also includes generating a first index corresponding to the plurality of data values, the first index comprising at least one page having a variable size. The method further includes storing a first value in the at least one page and a corresponding pointer to each occurrence of the respective data value stored in the alternate evaluator.
US07822734B2 Selecting and presenting user search results based on an environment taxonomy
A search engine stores different taxonomies that each specifies categories and relationships between the categories. When the search engine receives a request having a search query, the search engine determines which taxonomy, if any, it should use to generate a search engine results page. The search engine bases this determination upon information provided to it in the request, in one embodiment. For example, the search engine might select a taxonomy based on the particular environment from which the search query originated. However, the search engine can select the taxonomy based on other information, such as a role of the user. Thus, a medical researcher and a financial analyst for a particular corporation could receive search engine results pages that were generated with appropriate taxonomies for each of them.
US07822728B1 Metadata pipelining and optimization in a file server
A read-write access to a file in a file server includes an initial metadata access step, an asynchronous read or write of file data, and a metadata commit step. In order to parallelize access to a range locking database, an inode and indirect file block mapping database, and a pre-allocation data base, operations are pipelined within the metadata access step and also within the metadata commit step. The pipelined operations within the metadata access step include a first stage of range locking, a second stage of reading block mapping metadata, and a third stage of reading and updating a pre-allocation map for write access. The pipelined operations within the metadata commit step include a first stage of releasing range locks, a second stage of accessing old block metadata for write access, and a third stage of updating metadata and flushing the pre-allocation map for write access.
US07822721B2 Correction server for large database systems
A computer system includes a database representing various transactions performed by the system. The number of transactions can be quite large. They may form the basis of analytical processing performed by the computer system, whose results may be used by subsequent stages of analytical processing. When data errors are corrected, the present invention permits a correction server to identify data entities (analytical results or the like) that may now be inconsistent due to the correction. The computer system may include a data flow manager that monitors data flows throughout the system and generates a read history therefrom, identifying reading entities as being dependent on entities from the database. When corrections are made, the corrected database entities are identified in a corrected entity log. If a comparison between the corrected entity log reveals a match with an entry in the read history log, the dependent entity may be identified as possibly inconsistent.
US07822718B1 Restoration of archived configurations for a network device
Techniques are described for reliable restoration of archived configuration. For example, a device, such as a router, comprises a first memory to store operational configuration data and a second memory to store candidate configuration data. The candidate configuration data represents a working copy of the operational configuration data. The device further includes a control unit to lock the candidate configuration data, load archived configuration data to replace the locked candidate configuration data and commit the candidate configuration data to restore the archived configuration data as the operational configuration data of the device. In locking the candidate configuration, the device ensures reliable restoration of the candidate configuration by helping prevent the device from becoming both unreachable and inoperable.
US07822713B2 Method of managing a calendar and a computer system for implementing that method
Methods, systems and machine readable media for operating a calendar in a data processing system. In one exemplary method of managing a calendar, which contains at least one event, said method comprises: making available the calendar in an electronic format; subscribing to said calendar; downloading said calendar from a host electronic device to a subscriber electronic device; and storing said calendar in said electronic format to form a local calendar.
US07822712B1 Incremental data warehouse updating
Processes, systems and computer programs for data management. New fact data is received, e.g., at a data warehouse, and the new fact data is aggregated to incrementally update a first version of a materialized view (a pre-computed aggregation of data), the updated materialized view being a second version of the materialized view. While aggregating the new data, the first version of the materialized view is provided for serving by a query subsystem. After aggregating the new data to the materialized view, the second version of the materialized view is provided for serving by the query subsystem thereafter. At least one version of the materialized view is available for serving by the query subsystem even during aggregation.
US07822707B1 Object searching and management information viewing in a storage area network environment
A configuration management tool initiates display of a listing of multiple different types of managed resources present in a storage area network environment. Based on user input, the resource manager receives a selection of two or more types of managed resources from the listing. In addition to receiving a select of two or more types of resources in the listing, the resource manager application receives search criteria associated with each of the selected two or more types of managed resources. The configuration manager initiates a search for objects (in one or more repositories) that satisfy the search criteria and are of a managed resource type as indicated by the selection. The configuration manager application then produces a report indicating the objects (i.e., storage area network resources and corresponding management information) that satisfy the search criteria. After receiving the report (e.g., search results) that satisfies the search criteria, the user can select a storage area network resource in the report to view information associated with the selected resource. Further, the user can select from multiple different viewing options to view different types of information associated with the selected resource.
US07822706B1 Workflow administration tools and user interfaces
Various embodiments include systems, methods, and user interfaces that provide abilities to administer data in a workflow system. In some embodiments, the workflow system is a portion of a larger system, such as a document management system.
US07822697B2 Method and apparatus for infrastructure health monitoring and analysis wherein anomalies are detected by comparing measured outputs to estimated/modeled outputs by using a delay
There is described herein a method for detecting anomalies in an infrastructure, the method comprising: providing a computationally-intelligent analysis model to model a behaviour of at least one detection instrument in said infrastructure; inputting control instrument data into said analysis model, said control instrument data being provided by control instruments in said infrastructure; outputting an estimated behaviour for said at least one detection instrument from said analysis model; comparing actual data from said at least one detection instrument to said estimated behaviour and generating a set of residuals representing a difference between said actual data and said estimated behaviour; and identifying anomalies when said residuals exceed a predetermined threshold.
US07822696B2 Histogram-based classifiers having variable bin sizes
A “Classifier Trainer” trains a combination classifier for detecting specific objects in signals (e.g., faces in images, words in speech, patterns in signals, etc.). In one embodiment “multiple instance pruning” (MIP) is introduced for training weak classifiers or “features” of the combination classifier. Specifically, a trained combination classifier and associated final threshold for setting false positive/negative operating points are combined with learned intermediate rejection thresholds to construct the combination classifier. Rejection thresholds are learned using a pruning process which ensures that objects detected by the original combination classifier are also detected by the combination classifier, thereby guaranteeing the same detection rate on the training set after pruning. The only parameter required throughout training is a target detection rate for the final cascade system. In additional embodiments, combination classifiers are trained using various combinations of weight trimming, bootstrapping, and a weak classifier termed a “fat stump” classifier.
US07822695B2 Dynamic adaptive distributed computer system
A system, methods and apparatus are described involving the self-organizing dynamics of networks of distributed computers. The system is comprised of complex networks of databases. The system presents a novel database architecture called the distributed transformational spatio-temporal object relational (T-STOR) database management system (dbms). Data is continuously input, analyzed, organized, reorganized and used for specific commercial and industrial applications. The system uses intelligent mobile software agents in a multi-agent system in order to learn, anticipate, and adapt and to perform numerous functions, including search, analysis, collaboration, negotiation, decision making and structural transformation. The system links together numerous complex systems involving distributed networks to present a novel model for dynamic adaptive computing systems, which includes plasticity of collective behavior and self-organizing behavior in intelligent system structures.
US07822689B2 Maintaining privacy for transactions performable by a user device having a security module
The present invention discloses a method and system for maintaining privacy for transactions performable by a user device having a security module with a privacy certification authority and a verifier. The system comprises an issuer providing an issuer public key PKI; a user device having a security module for generating a first set of attestation-signature values DAA1; a privacy certification authority computer for providing an authority public key PKPCA and issuing second attestation values AV2; and a verification computer for checking the validity of the first set of attestation-signature values DAA1 with the issuer public key PKI and the validity of a second set of attestation-signature values DAA2 with the authority public key PKPCA, the second set of attestation-signature values DAA2 being derivable by the user device 20 from the second attestation values AV2, wherein it is verifiable that the two sets of attestation-signature values DAA1, DAA2 relate to the user device.
US07822683B2 System and method for secure third-party development and hosting within a financial services network
An electronic billing statement, presented as a user interface to a registered user of a server, the electronic billing statement comprising a first component, hosted by a financial service center, to navigate the user UI and invoke one or more functions of the financial service center, and a second component, hosted by a third-party, to provide detailed billing information from a biller to the registered user.
US07822682B2 System and method for enhancing supply chain transactions
A system and method for processing particulars of a transaction over a network. The system comprises a supply chain tracking module for receiving supply chain event data from at least one supply chain monitor, the supply chain data relating to the condition or location of an item along a supply chain. The system also comprises a term and requirements module for receiving initial terms and requirements associated with the transaction and for generating modified terms and requirements based on supply chain event data and on at least one value algorithm, the modified terms and requirements being generated while the item is still in the supply chain.
US07822681B2 Financial collaboration networks
The disclosed system and method for providing financial collaboration networks generally includes a data processing system adapted to permit a plurality of group collaborators to perform financial transactions with a plurality of users or network participants. Representative embodiments of the present invention generally provide web-based financial collaboration systems that may be adapted to permit a plurality of borrowers, for example, to negotiate more favorable terms with a lender for subsequent loans made to the borrower members of the collaborative group.
US07822672B2 Price change of orders from reserve in an electronic trading system
Electronic trading of interests using reserves and a price change feature. A portion of a total desired trade quantity may be held in reserve, and thereby not disclosed in the relevant market. The invention provides for a subsequent trade order or quotation to be automatically initiated from the reserve when the disclosed order is accepted. The price of the subsequent order of a given reserve quantity will be different from the prior disclosed price. The process for disclosing a subsequent order may be fully or partially automatic, e.g., with or without a requirement for a response to a prompt by the trader entering the order. Preferably, the cycle of new orders with changed prices continues until the reserve is exhausted. The invention is useful for trading, for example, current or future interests in equities, fixed-income securities, currencies, and commodities such as foods, resources, energy, and emissions rights, and other interests.
US07822669B2 System and software for providing recommendations to optimize a portfolio of items
A method of operating a computer system includes storing, in the computer system, a database containing performance measure data regarding performance measures of a plurality of items. The method further includes inputting into the computer system a plurality of performance measure constraints. The method also includes modeling the performance measure constraints with a set of equations. The equations include a plurality of variables. Each of the variables corresponds to a respective one of the items. Each variable is, for example, to be assigned either the value “1” or the value “0”. The value “1” may represent a recommendation to take an action relative to the corresponding item in the portfolio and the value “0” may represent a recommendation to take another action. The computer system is used to solve the set of equations to generate one or more solutions that satisfy the performance measure constraints.
US07822663B2 Reducing risk in a payment-based transaction by returning payment authorizing instructions to a payment queue for latert re-evaluation
A real-time, global system and method for controlling payments risk, liquidity risk and systemic risk arising between financial counterparties active in payments-based transactions. The system comprises: a plurality of User Host Applications for use by plurality of Users; a plurality of Third Party Host Applications for use by plurality of Third Parties; and a plurality of Payment Bank Host Applications for use by a plurality of Payment Banks operating a plurality of domestic payment systems. All host applications communicate via cryptographically secure sessions via private communications networks and/or the Internet global computer network. User and Payment Bank access is secured by digital certification. Each Payment Bank Host Application has a mechanism for processing payment messages, including payments instructions to be carried out in its domestic payments system on behalf of a plurality of account holders (including bank correspondents). In addition, each Payment Bank Host Application includes a filter process module for processing payments instructions, prior to being carried out by the domestic payment system. In the event of a counterparty payment failure or insolvency, the Filter Process Module enables instantaneous, automated suspension of all further payments to the counterparty in a multiplicity of chosen currencies. The reduction in payments risk and liquidity risk to predetermined tolerances reduces the likelihood of contingent defaults in the event of payment failure due to bank insolvency or other unforeseen event, and thereby reduces systemic risk to the global financial system.
US07822662B2 Key performance indicator system and method
The present invention relates to a system and methodology associated with providing a flexible unified view of key performance indicators (KPIs). Retrieving KPI values from a store is not always trivial and may require submitting multiple queries to in order to obtain desired results. The present system and method makes it easier for front-end applications to access and display KPIs in an easily customizable form. Furthermore, third parties can leverage off the provided architecture in connection with their own applications to facilitate quick and easy access to a single view of performance indicators.
US07822661B1 Information distribution system and method utilizing a position adjustment factor
A system and method for distributing information (collectively the “system”) is disclosed. The system can, but need not, include category-based and geography-based attributes to better “focus” the information distributed by the system. In the processing of listing-based attributes (e.g. attributes limited to a particular listing), the system can also be influenced by relationship-based attributes (e.g. attributes between the administrator of the system and the advertisers, and even potentially users). If desired, the system can accommodate the ability of advertisers to modify or enhance the display characteristics relating to information records in order to further differential listings and advertisers. The ability to organize listings into tiers can also be incorporated into the system. By organizing listings into tiers, the system may be more effective in maximizing competition at all ends of the listing continuum, and not just the competition for the top position or two.
US07822658B2 Dynamic prioritization of activities
A system comprises a first store of process instance data, a second store of data including predictions and statistics respectively corresponding to the process instance data, and a dynamic prioritization system configured to selectively access data in the first store and the second store and to estimate a cost of a process instance responsive to the accessing, wherein process instance node priorities are adjusted responsive to the estimate. A method comprises providing a first store of process instance data, providing a second store of data including predictions and statistics respectively corresponding to the process instance data, selectively accessing data in the first store and the second store, estimating a cost of a process instance responsive to the accessing and selectively adjusting process instance node priorities using a dynamic prioritization system responsive to the estimating.
US07822656B2 International banking system and method
A system an method for providing banks with access to a previously inaccessible existing international infrastructure. A provider bank first establishes on its system, a set of accounts for each of the customers of a client bank. (the client bank environment). The client bank environment has its own Demand Deposit Account (DDA) module to process account entries and calculate interest and its own funds transfer module to initiate and to receive funds transfers. The primary interface into the funds transfer section in the client bank environment is to the funds transfer section of the provider bank environment. The funds transfer section of the provider bank is coupled to the systems which constitute the international banking infrastructure that is able to process banking transactions on a global basis for the customers of the client bank. A customer requests a particular international transaction to be performed by its client bank. The client bank then communicates the requested transaction to the funds transfer section in the client bank environment within the system of the provider bank. Once the client bank funds transfer section has received the requested transaction, it references the customer's accounts in the client bank environment (e.g., to debit the customer's account) and then transmit a transaction message (e.g., a payment message) to the funds transfer section of the provider bank environment. The funds transfer section of the provider bank processes the transaction as a typical correspondent bank payment across the Nostro account(s) of the client bank environment (e.g., a high value wire transfer) through one of the clearing systems. Incoming funds (i.e., credits) intended for accounts of customers of the client bank follow this flow in reverse.
US07822654B2 Business analysis tool
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a single automated accounting and business analysis system is employed to acquire, organize, record, analyze and plan all the relevant financial and non-financial business metrics required by a company's management, suppliers, creditors, shareholders, regulators, etc. This includes all the internally generated metrics and external metrics such as data related to the economy, a particular industry, weather conditions, etc.
US07822651B2 Method for managing returns
There are many situations where returns are needed to further business or other objectives. For example, in remanufacturing businesses, cores are rebuilt into remanufactured parts that are sold. To sustain remanufacturing, cores must be obtained. One way to assure a supply is to collect a deposit against a core return when a remanufactured part is sold. Tracking of cores and the associated liabilities for the deposits is complex. It is also beneficial to control the liabilities. Provided are systems, methods and steps that enable tracking and other effective management techniques to assure returns and liabilities are managed. In one embodiment, each core and an associated entitlement representative of a liability are tracked. Price changes can be made on core deposits without affecting the ability to control liabilities. The systems, processes and methods lend themselves to computer implementation and use in large businesses.
US07822649B2 Methods for electronic commerce using aggregated consumer interest
This present subject matter includes a method for processing product selections by a plurality of consumers operating one or more web browsers, comprising collecting electronic information, including product identifying information, about the product selections by each consumer of the plurality of consumers, the product selections selected by the plurality of consumers from offerings at a plurality of disparate websites, associating information related to a consumer identified with a particular product selection with the product identifying information, associating the product identifying information with a Universal Product Code (UPC) for the product selections, aggregating the electronic information in a database, the information categorized by each consumer and UPC code, processing counts of selections by the plurality of consumers organized at least by UPC code, requesting product fulfillment bids from one or more suppliers using the counts and obtaining one or more product fulfillment bids from the one or more suppliers. Other examples provide a method for processing service selections by a plurality of consumers operating one or more web browsers.
US07822648B2 Methods for electronic commerce using aggregated consumer interest
The present subject matter includes a method for processing product selections by a plurality of consumers operating one or more web browsers, comprising collecting electronic information, including product identifying information, about the product selections by each consumer of the plurality of consumers, the product selections selected by the plurality of consumers from offerings at a plurality of disparate websites, associating information related to a consumer identified with a particular product selection with the product identifying information, associating the product identifying information with a Universal Product Code (UPC) for the product selections, aggregating the electronic information in a database, the information categorized by each consumer and UPC code, processing counts of selections by the plurality of consumers organized at least by UPC code, requesting product fulfillment bids from one or more suppliers using the counts and obtaining one or more product fulfillment bids from the one or more suppliers. Other examples provide a method for processing service selections by a plurality of consumers operating one or more web browsers.
US07822643B2 Presentation production system
A fully customizable system and method for producing videos utilizing a “front-end” and/or a “two-step” decentralized business model for receiving input parameters from the customer or user and for presenting production elements for selection based on the input parameters. The system providing feedback by calculating total price, production time and required raw video source material as the customer or user makes production element selections. The customer or user is further provided with specific direction as to which and how many raw source materials are to be gathered for the video production.
US07822639B2 Added-revenue off-site targeted internet advertising
A super-saturation method for information-media substantially relates to a three-body cooperation to direct information to an electronic media consumer (reader, surfer, viewer, listener, etc.). Embodiments of the present invention facilitate a first media body substantially offering out of context information placement using a second cooperating media body. A facilitator body preferably guarantees that a consumer of the second media is a known consumer of the first media. Accordingly, the second media body presents an out of context information placement. For example, an exclusive members-only Internet site “AAA” is oversubscribed with potential paying advertising content at $100 CPM. This exclusive site then offers unfulfilled advertisers an option to present their advertisements to certified “AAA” viewers, albeit on a non-AAA Internet site, for $50 CPM. The facilitator locates a certified AAA viewer at an Internet site “BBB” that normally charges $30 CPM. A facilitated contract(s) between AAA, BBB, and the facilitator divides a new revenue stream of $20 CPM between them—and each of the three bodies benefit.
US07822638B2 Information providing system, method thereof, and program
An information providing system includes a database having advertisement information and a bid amount of money of an advertisement stored correspondingly. Corresponding pieces of advertisement information are select from the database responding to a retrieval request from a terminal to decide an advertisement publishing order based upon the bid amount of money of each of these pieces of advertisement information. The advertisement publishing order is decided based upon a probability that is calculated from a ratio of the bid amount of money of each advertisement that becomes an object of display over a sum of bid amounts of money of advertisements that become an object of display. This allows the displaying order not to be uniquely decided with the bid amount of money.
US07822637B2 Method for transacting an advertisement transfer
A method for transacting an advertisement transfer is disclosed which facilitates expressing the rate structure for the individual advertisement as a function of a profile of the individual potential customer; and which is directed to the creation of a mechanism from the vantage of an Internet site that is being visited. It should be appreciated that this must include the participation of other entities in the Internet (such as distributors, clients, intermediary agencies, etc.). The method is for transacting an advertisement transfer, from an advertisement distributor to a visitor, the method including, upon the occurrence of a visitor visitation at a communications node, the communication node performing the steps of: constructing a visitor profile; broadcasting the profile to at least one distributor; collecting responses from the at least one distributor; selecting a response from the at least one responding distributor; contracting, between the node and the at least one distributor of the selected response, a transference of an advertisement from the distributor to the visitor; and effecting a transfer of the advertisement to the visitor.
US07822636B1 Optimal internet ad placement
This invention concerns optimal ad selection for Web pages by selecting and updating an attribute set, obtaining and updating an ad-attribute profile, and optimally choosing the next ad. The present invention associates a set of attributes with each customer. The attributes reflect the customers' interests and they incorporate the characteristics that impact ad selection. Similarly, the present invention associates with each ad an ad-attribute profile in order to calculate a customer's estimated ad selection probability and measure the uncertainty in that estimate. An ad selection algorithm optimally selects which ad to show based on the click probability estimates and the uncertainties regarding these estimates.
US07822635B1 Managing consumer preferences with a portable data processing system
In accordance with the method, system, and program of the present invention, consumer preferences designated for a user are transmitted in a transmittable data format from a portable data processing system associated with the user to multiple independent server systems each associated with a consumer provider from among multiple diverse consumer providers. Specialized services and products from each of the diverse consumer providers are designated for the user at each of the independent server systems, in response to comparing the consumer preferences for the user with a database of services and products at each of the independent server systems. The designated specialized services and products are transmitted to the portable data processing system in the transmittable data format, such that a consumer provider from among multiple diverse consumer providers adjusts offerings of services and products provided to a particular user via a portable data processing system according to electronically received consumer preferences for the particular user.
US07822633B2 Public sector value model
A method and system for evaluating a public sector organization includes identifying at least one outcome measure and at least one cost-effectiveness measure for a public sector organization; obtaining measurements associated with the measure; and determining a relative public performance measure of the public sector organization based on the measurements.
US07822632B2 System and method for conducting product configuration research over a computer-based network
A system is provided for enabling respondents at their computer systems to connect with a sever computer over a network, and receive a configuration program enabling each respondent to select for each feature of a product one or multiple subfeature attributes or levels. Each subfeature for each feature has a price value and the combination of selected subfeatures for the features provides a total price of the product. The total price value is displayed and updated as subfeatures for the features are selected or changed. When the total price of the product is acceptable to the respondent, and subfeatures have been selected for each feature of the product, the program returns information to the computer server having data representing the subfeatures selected, the total price, the time taken, and each subfeature selected or changed in arriving at the configured product. The configuration program may be part of a survey.
US07822627B2 Method and system for generating an echocardiogram report
An echocardiogram report generation method and system are disclosed for creating a complete medical report describing an echocardiogram without dictation, transcription or typing. The report is tailored to describe an individual patient and generated in complete grammatically complex sentences in response to the user's input with a text report that is complete and understandable for a primary care physician. The method and system provides the user the parallel options of an anatomical structure approach and a disease-specific approach in order to amplify the description of the echocardiogram in specific areas and give a more meaningful report. The echo report generated by the method and system creates a table of measurements and calculations in compact form, omitting any data fields not used. The method and system guides the user through the various areas of the heart which merit comment on the report and provides clear color coded segments of the heart muscle and provides several heart segment classifications so that the user can use his favored classification scheme. Diagnostic possibilities are provided for inclusion in the report conclusions.
US07822614B2 Device control, speech recognition device, agent device, control method
A language analyzer performs speech recognition on a speech input by a speech input unit, specifies a possible word which is represented by the speech, and the score thereof, and supplies word data representing them to an agent processing unit. The agent processing unit stores process item data which defines a data acquisition process to acquire word data or the like, a discrimination process, and an input/output process, and wires or data defining transition from one process to another and giving a weighting factor to the transition, and executes a flow represented generally by the process item data and the wires to thereby control devices belonging to an input/output target device group. To which process in the flow the transition takes place is determined by the weighting factor of each wire, which is determined by the connection relationship between a point where the process has proceeded and the wire, and the score of word data. The wire and the process item data can be downloaded from an external server.
US07822613B2 Vehicle-mounted control apparatus and program that causes computer to execute method of providing guidance on the operation of the vehicle-mounted control apparatus
In a vehicle-mounted control apparatus, a control unit 2 displays guidance on an operation of the vehicle-mounted control apparatus by voice input on a display device 6, and makes the user get training so that the user can master the techniques for operating the vehicle-mounted control apparatus (in step ST4). At this time, by using a voice which the user tries to input in order to master the techniques for operating the vehicle-mounted control apparatus, the voice recognition unit 5 learns the features of the user's voice in the background, and computes recognition parameters. Thereby, the user can know how to operate the vehicle-mounted control apparatus and can also register the features of the voice in the vehicle-mounted control apparatus.
US07822612B1 Methods of processing a voice command from a caller
Schemes for processing a voice command from a caller are disclosed herein. The schemes may allow a caller to manipulate data using a voice command and designate a device to which to provide the manipulated data. The schemes may be accessed over telecommunication networks. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method of processing a voice command from a caller may include receiving from the caller a voice command to manipulate a set of data. The voice command may be processed using a voice-recognition application. The set of data may be manipulated to obtain a different modified set of data, and the modified set of data may be provided to a device designated by the caller.
US07822611B2 Speaker intent analysis system
A speaker intent analysis system and method for validating the truthfulness and intent of a plurality of participants' responses to questions. A computer stores, retrieves, and transmits a series of questions to be answered audibly by participants. The participants' answers are received by a data processor. The data processor analyzes and records the participants' speech parameters for determining the likelihood of dishonesty. In addition to analyzing participants' speech parameters for distinguishing stress or other abnormality, the processor may be equipped with voice recognition software to screen responses that while not dishonest, are indicative of possible malfeasance on the part of the participants. Once the responses are analyzed, the processor produces an output that is indicative of the participant's credibility. The output may be sent to proper parties and/or devices such as a web page, computer, e-mail, PDA, pager, database, report, etc. for appropriate action.
US07822603B1 System and method for mobile automatic speech recognition
A system and method of updating automatic speech recognition parameters on a mobile device are disclosed. The method comprises storing user account-specific adaptation data associated with ASR on a computing device associated with a wireless network, generating new ASR adaptation parameters based on transmitted information from the mobile device when a communication channel between the computing device and the mobile device becomes available and transmitting the new ASR adaptation data to the mobile device when a communication channel between the computing device and the mobile device becomes available. The new ASR adaptation data on the mobile device more accurately recognizes user utterances.
US07822602B2 Adaptive reduction of noise signals and background signals in a speech-processing system
An audio input signal is filtered using an adaptive filter to generate a prediction output signal with reduced noise, wherein the filter is implemented using a plurality of coefficients to generate a plurality of prediction errors and to generate an error from the plurality of prediction errors, wherein the absolute values of the coefficients are continuously reduced by a plurality of reduction parameters.
US07822595B2 Systems and methods for selectively copying embedded data files
A backup system is provided that includes a backup application configured to automatically execute upon connection of the backup system to a data source. The backup application is configured to selectively back up data from the data source to itself or to networked storage, for example. As part of selectively backing up data, the backup application is further configured to selectively extract embedded data files, such as attachments, from internal files of e-mail programs. Between backups, the backup application can selectively extract newly received embedded data files to a folder. During a subsequent backup, the contents of the folder can be copied from the data source.
US07822590B2 Method and system for implementing, controlling, and interfacing with circuit simulators
A system and method for performing circuit simulation is described. Revisions and history of the operating parameters of circuit designs subject to simulation are tracked. Mechanisms are provided that allow for viewing, measurement or other manipulation of signals at specific locations in a circuit design for simulation, such as parameters that include observation points which are implemented using probes. One approach to executing a measurement is via a controllable and flexible control statement, which in one embodiment is the “run” statement. Improved interfaces for viewing, controlling, and manipulating simulations and simulation results are also provided.
US07822587B1 Hybrid database architecture for both maintaining and relaxing type 2 data entity behavior
A database schema architecture and operators therefor is disclosed for storing data providing information about membership of items in one or more groups, wherein when such a group is a simulated group, access to group item data related to activities of the group items prior to creation of the simulated group is provided. When such a group is an actual group, access to group item data related to activities of the group items prior to creation of the group is constrained such that group entities have database Type 2 behavior. The architecture provides a common schema for both actual and simulated groups. The architecture provides the ability to create simulated or hypothesized groups of agents in a contact center, wherein the groups can be evaluated using agents' past performance. Such groups are represented by the same schemas as actual groups, and the data entities for the actual groups exhibit Type 2 database behavior.
US07822586B2 System and method for optimizing and simulating thermal management systems and predictive flow control
Embodiments of the present invention include a computer program product including computer instructions that are executable to receive a set of process parameters, including fluid parameters and heat exchanger parameters, and determine a time for a dispense fluid to reach a target temperature. Additionally, the instructions can be executable to determine a set of process parameters that result in a time to reach the target temperature of below a predefined limit. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a set of computer instructions can calculate the time it takes for a dispense fluid to reach a target temperature for predictive flow control of a heating/cooling fluid.
US07822583B2 Method of batch falling strand devolatilizer
A design method of batch falling strand devolatilizers is disclosed. The method includes following steps. Firstly, construct a database that contains data of batch falling strand devolatilizer vs. devolatilization of at least one kind of polymer. Then data in the database is substituted into a mass balance difference equation to get a backmixing parameter. When the backmixing parameter is zero or is approaching zero, a liquid diffusion stage efficiency equation having a film equation or a pool equation is integrated with the mass balance difference equation to get a devolatilization process efficiency equation. By optimizing of a theoretical value of the backmixing parameter, a theoretical value of the process efficiency from calculation of the devolatilization process efficiency equation approaches the value of the process efficiency. Then the theoretical value of the backmixing parameter is substituted into the devolatilization process efficiency equation for performing volume design of the batch falling strand devolatilizer.
US07822581B2 CAD-system for dental prostheses
The invention relates to a method based on a CAD system consisting of producing a skeleton (14) satisfying pre-defined stability specifications on the basis of a positive template. For this purpose, the control surfaces, which are calculated on the basis of predetermined coordinates of said positive template, are represented on an output device together with the modified surface shape of an implant.
US07822580B2 Method and a system for monitoring the condition and operation of periodically moving objects
A system and method for monitoring a condition and an operation of a periodically moving object is provided. Herein a synchronized time average is calculated for a measurement signal, the signal containing periodical variations and obtained from the object response. In general, a frequency response is determined based on the periodical variations of the measurement signal. A signal component representing the determined frequency response is filtered from the measurement signal. The filtered signal is used as a synchronizing signal. A synchronized time average of sequences, determined by dividing the measurement signal by the synchronizing signal, is calculated.
US07822573B2 Method and apparatus for modeling responses for a material to various inputs
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for testing a material. A signal is sent into the material using the transmitter. The signal has a frequency range that falls within a selected frequency range to form a transmitted signal. An actual response to the transmitted signal is received at a sensor. A simulated response of the material to the transmitted signal is generated using a functional model capable of modeling responses of the material to different frequency ranges falling within the selected frequency range. The simulated response is compared to the actual response to determine if a change has occurred in the material.
US07822572B2 Method and device for calibration of digital celestial sensor
A method for calibration of a digital celestial sensor is disclosed. First, an integrated mathematic model for imaging of a celestial sensor is established according to external and internal parameters of the calibration system of the celestial sensor. Second, by rotating two axes of a rotator by different angles, calibration points data are acquired and sent to a processing computer through an interface circuit. Finally, a two-step calibration program is implemented to calculate the calibration parameters by substituting calibration points' data to the integrated mathematic model. An application device of the calibration method is also provided. The device may include a celestial simulator to provide simulated sunlight or starlight, a two-axis rotator to acquire different calibration points' data, and a processing computer to record the calibration points' data and calculate the calibration parameters.
US07822569B2 Specific-condition-section detection apparatus and method of detecting specific condition section
A specific-condition-section detection apparatus configured to detect a specific condition section in a data signal having a signal level that continues to be closer to a predetermined signal level than a reference level includes a signal correcting unit configured to correct the data signal so that a segment of the data signal is corrected to a level closer to the predetermined signal level than the reference level for a predetermined amount of time starting from the point where the signal level of the data signal changes from a level closer to the predetermined signal level than the reference level to a level further away from the predetermined signal level than the reference level, and a determining unit configured to determine whether the level of the corrected data signal is closer to the predetermined signal level than the reference level.
US07822566B2 Method, device and program for setting a reference value for substrate inspection
Where substrates with components are produced through a series of production processes and inspected after each of these production processes, a method is provided for setting an optimum reference value for making judgments in these inspections such that the frequency of occurrence of disagreement between inspection results after an intermediate process and after the final results will come to within a specified range. After an initial value is assigned for a reference value, this value is sequentially varied while repeating specified processes of saving measured and judgment data on inspected portions of components in a memory and setting a reference value by using the data saved in the memory until a specified condition becomes satisfied.
US07822563B2 Method and device for calculating magnitude of wheel-generated cornering force
A method of calculating a cornering force to be applied to each wheel provided to a vehicle which is cornering, comprising the steps of: obtaining a magnitude of a centrifugal force to the vehicle in a direction substantially orthogonal to a vehicle traveling direction, a contact length of each wheel during the cornering of the vehicle, and an amount of deformation in a wheel width direction at the contact portion of each wheel of the vehicle, calculating a difference between the obtained amount of the deformation and an amount of deformation in the wheel width direction under a straight forward travel condition of the vehicle for each wheel, and calculating a cornering force for each wheel based on the magnitude of the centrifugal force, the contact length, and the difference between amounts of deformation in the wheel width direction.
US07822551B2 Network aided terrestrial triangulation using stars (NATTS)
A method for determining a terrestrial location of an apparatus that is deployed in a generally known geographical region includes capturing, by the apparatus, an earthbound image of the sky from a terrestrial location at an identified time; communicating, by the apparatus, data representative of the captured earthbound image of the sky; and determining the terrestrial location of the apparatus based on the data communicated by the apparatus by comparing the captured earthbound image of the sky to a master mapping of the sky relative to the surface of the Earth.
US07822549B2 Global positioning using planetary constants
The disclosed invention is generally comprised of a device capable of measuring the vector sum of the centripetal acceleration of the rotation of the Earth (or that of any other planet in a planetary system) around its axis (arot) and the centripetal acceleration of the planet's revolution in its orbit around the Sun (arev) and a method for performing the same using the measured physical data to calculate the latitude and longitude of the device on a surface. Measurements are taken by stepping accelerometers through different axis to determine centripetal acceleration, reading the output of the accelerometers and reading the angular disposition of the accelerometers using encoders and calculating the latitude and longitude from the measured data.
US07822540B2 Systems, methods, and programs for determining a travel-related time
Systems, methods, and programs obtain a start position and obtain map information including link information and mesh information, the mesh information dividing an area covered by the map information in a mesh grid having a plurality of adjacent meshes. The systems, methods, and programs calculate an estimated travel related time for specific ones of the meshes based on an origin mesh including the start position by assigning time offsets to specific ones of the meshes based on at least one of a type and a number of links entering the specific ones of the meshes starting from the origin mesh and in the order of transitions from one mesh to another mesh over mesh borders in a flow pattern representing increasing distances from the origin mesh.
US07822528B2 Full range torque reduction
An engine control system comprises a torque request module, an immediate torque control module, an actuation module, and an expected torque control module. The torque request module generates an expected torque request and an immediate torque request. The immediate torque control module controls a spark advance of an engine based on the immediate torque request. The actuation module selectively reduces the expected torque request based on the immediate torque request and a spark capacity. The spark capacity is based on a difference between a first engine torque and a second engine torque, determined at a current airflow. The first engine torque is determined at a first spark advance and the second engine torque is determined at a second spark advance that is less than the first spark advance. The expected torque control module that controls a throttle valve area based on the expected torque request.
US07822525B2 Travel control device and travel control method
In brake liquid pressure control, a time wasted after the control is started until brake application is actually started is reduced and pulsation noise of brake liquid pressure is reduced. When automatic following control of a vehicle is being operated, a motor for pressure increase is set to idle if a predetermined condition at which the vehicle starts deceleration is reached before an automatic brake command is issued from an automatic following control device. Further, when the throttle of an engine is at predetermined condition at which rapid acceleration does not occur, brake liquid pressure is increased to a level at which the vehicle does not decelerate.
US07822521B2 Method and device for evaluating driving situations
A method and a device for evaluating driving situations, where driving-state data are ascertained and evaluated. The driving-state data are evaluated and numerically represented with regard to their risk potential for vehicle occupants, an overall risk potential (total risk) being determined by ascertaining and/or estimating currently acting forces and/or forces to be expected and a movement of the occupant resulting from them.
US07822519B2 Control device and method for shock absorber
A damping force control device (1) for a shock absorber (Dn) interposed between a sprung member (Bn) and an unsprung member (Wn) of a vehicle (A) comprises a damping force varying mechanism (3) which supplements a minimum damping force (Fdn) that can be generated by the shock absorber (Dn) with a variable damping force (Fcn). The device (1) comprises a control portion (2) which calculates a deviation (εn) between a damping force target value (Fsn) and the minimum damping force (Fdn) (S207), and open-loop controls the damping force varying mechanism (3) using a variable damping force (Fcn) calculated on the basis of the deviation (εn) such that the damping force generated by the shock absorber (Dn) coincide with the damping force target value (Fsn) (S208-S212), thereby optimizing damping force control of the shock absorber (Dn), which has a non-linear damping characteristic.
US07822517B2 Method and device for activating additional functions in response to a rollover procedure of a motor vehicle
A method for activating additional functions in response to a rollover procedure of a vehicle, using at least one sensor and one control unit, the sensor supplying at least one unidirectional acceleration signal, having the following method steps: analyzing at least one acceleration signal in its characteristics as a function of time; processing analyzed values of the at least one acceleration signal; establishing the plausibility of the processed values using a second signal value; and activating at least one additional function in response to a rollover procedure of the vehicle in the light of the values whose plausibility has been established; as well as a control device using this method.
US07822516B2 Automotive vehicle with redundant controller
An automotive vehicle having a pre-selected function, and including a controller which controls an object and includes a plurality of redundant elements which are redundant with each other, and a function restraining portion which partially or fully restrains the function of the vehicle, when a pre-selected failure which has occurred to one of the redundant elements has not solved before another of the redundant elements has operated for more than a pre-set time since the occurrence of the failure.
US07822515B2 Ocean bottom seismic sensor cable system including torque-relieving swivel
An ocean bottom cable system includes a sensor cable configured to be extended from a vessel to the bottom of the body of water. The sensor cable includes a plurality of seismic sensor units at spaced apart locations. A lead in cable is coupled at a to at least one of the vessel and a buoy, and to an aft lead in cable segment. The segment includes a cable loop to compensate water-caused motion of the lead in cable substantially without moving the sensor units. A first swivel is disposed between a forward end of the sensor cable and an aft end of the aft lead in cable segment. The first swivel enables relative rotation between the sensor cable and the segment. At least a second swivel is disposed between the second end of the lead in cable and a forward end of the aft lead in segment.
US07822514B1 System for controlling vehicle parameters
A system is provided which is capable of controlling one or more parameters of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed or engine RPM. The system involves communication between a transmitter and a controller. The transmitter has memory containing information that corresponds to a vehicle parameter setting. The information is operatively transmitted from the transmitter to the controller. Once the controller receives the information, the vehicle parameter setting is identified by the controller. When the setting is identified, the controller may adjust at least one mechanism on the vehicle so as modify the vehicle parameter accordingly. One scenario in which the parameter modification is generally provided is if the controller determines that the vehicle parameter is exceeding the identified setting, which corresponds to the vehicle being operated at a level higher than that intended for the vehicle operator.
US07822511B2 System and method for communicating data in an automated irrigation system
A communications system for an automated irrigation system includes one or more communication lines connecting one or more irrigation units and a main control system of the automated irrigation system, a communications device and a means for transmitting and receiving digital data across the communication lines. The communications device generates the digital data in the form of pulsed signals that are transmitted and received by irrigation fluid flowing through irrigation lines of the irrigation system. The digital data generated and transmitted can be used, for example, to create a data network between the irrigation units and the main control system, to program or reprogram the irrigation units and to provide power to the irrigation units.
US07822509B2 Control system for active vibration isolation of a supported payload
The invention relates to a control system for active vibration isolation of a supported payload with a control device that comprises a processing unit (41) for processing position data and orientation data of all available sensors to supply a sensor control matrix, as well as for subsequent calculation of axis input signals in orthogonal degrees of freedom from the sensor signals and the sensor control matrix, a downstream control-path cascade block (42) for processing axis input signals into axis output signals in orthogonal degrees of freedom, and a downstream processing unit (43) for processing position data and orientation data of all available actuators for vibration suppression into an actuator control matrix, as well as for subsequent calculation of actuator control signals from the axis output signals and the actuator control matrix.
US07822508B2 Autonomous mobile robot and goods carrying method of using the same
The autonomous mobile robot having an openable and closable gripper for gripping goods, cameras, an autonomous mobile means, and a control means for making the robot carry the goods to a destination from an acquisition source, the control means comprising: a grip position recognition means configured to recognize a predetermined position suitable for gripping a carrier container of a predetermined specification configured to place the goods to carry, based on an image of the acquisition source taken by the cameras; a grip control means configured to drive the gripper to the predetermined position of the carrier container and to control gripping the predetermined position; and a grip-success-or-not determination means configured to determine whether or not the gripping is successful, based on an external force acting on the gripper.
US07822504B2 Nail polish color selection system
A user interactive custom nail polish color and effects dispensing system and method of doing business, including for both point of sale and remote (e.g., via internet) transactions.
US07822497B2 Electronic device having music database and method of forming music database
An electronic device is disclosed according to the invention, which comprises an input unit, a memory unit for storing a music database, a display unit and a control unit. The music database comprises a plurality of pieces of music attached with visual tags. The electronic device according to the invention can facilitate the users to quickly and efficiently search out what they want to listen. Further, a method of forming the music database for the electronic device is also disclosed.
US07822495B2 Custom function blocks for use with process control systems
A system and method for creating and incorporating a function block within a process control system enables a user of the process control system to generate a function block by combining a plurality of files selected from a group of files provided by the manufacturer of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block. The user can modify the function block source code file to include a procedure, routine or algorithm that is not provided by the manufacturer and can send the modified source code file to the manufacturer for validation. If the function block source code file is validated, a security measure such as a digital signature is provided to the user that enables the user to incorporate the function block within the process control system. The function blocks can be used to incorporate a new function into a process control application or to operatively integrate a data source external to a process control application with the process control application via data mapping functions performed by the function blocks.
US07822493B2 Control system actuation fault monitoring
Methods and apparatus for monitoring and detecting failures in the actuation of a control system, such as a flight control system for an aircraft, include defining a nominal model of the control system in terms of the state variables of the control system, defining a model of an asymmetric “actuation monitoring envelope” that dynamically bounds a range that measured state variables of the system are allowed to take during operation of the system as a function of the nominal system state model, monitoring a signal corresponding to a state variable of the system during operation thereof, and detecting a failure in the actuation of the control system when the monitored signal exceeds the bounds of the monitoring envelope.
US07822492B2 Methods and systems for operating an automated system using a process definition model
A method is provided for operating an automated process defined by an execution model. The automated process includes a plurality of sub-processes. The method includes detecting an event during a first sub-process of the plurality of sub-processes, and resetting the first sub-process by operating an unload procedure that is written into the execution model. The method also includes operating at least one of a pre-process and a pre-sub-process procedure to facilitate continuing the automated process at a predetermined step of the automated process. The pre-process and the pre-sub-process procedures are written into the execution model.
US07822484B1 MRI-compatible implantable lead having high impedance electrodes
An implantable lead includes a lead body, having a distal end and a proximal end, configured to be implanted in a patient. An electrode assembly is provided at the distal end of the lead body, wherein the electrode assembly includes an electrode that is configured to deliver stimulating pulses. The electrode extends between a base and a tip at a distal end of the electrode. A shielding member is provided on the electrode assembly and is positioned to cover at least a portion of the electrode to electrically shield the electrode from RF fields. Optionally, the shielding member may include a shielding conductor that wraps about and extends longitudinally along a length of the electrode from the base to the tip. The shielding conductor may extend from the proximal end of the lead body at least to the distal end of the lead body.
US07822481B2 Therapy adjustment
Systems and methods for adjusting a therapy delivered to a patient include detecting a value of at least one sensed patient parameter and adjusting a therapy program to accommodate different patient parameter values. A data structure including a plurality of patient parameter values and associated therapy programs may be stored within a medical device or a programming device. Upon detecting a patient parameter value, an associated therapy program from the data structure may be selected. If no therapy program is associated with the detected patient parameter value, an intermediate program that best suits the detected patient parameter value may be generated by interpolating between the most recently implemented therapy program and a stored therapy program. In some embodiments, the rate of shifting between parameters of two stored or interpolated therapy programs may be based on the rate of change of the patient parameter value over time.
US07822479B2 Connector for implantable hearing aid
The present invention is directed to implantable hearing aid systems and provides for selective interconnection between two or more implantable components of a system. The inventive apparatus comprises a first connector interconnected to a distal end of a first signal cable that is connected to a first implantable component and a second connector interconnected to a distal end of a second signal second that is connected to a second implantable component. To facilitate routing of the signal cables, the male and female connectors are designed such that distal portions (e.g., mating ends) of the first and second signal cables may be juxtaposed (e.g., disposed side-by-side) when interconnected.
US07822477B2 Connector assembly for use with medical devices
Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts are disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of contact housings, sealing rings and leaf spring contact elements to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves for positioning the leaf spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together.
US07822475B2 Method and apparatus for reducing far-field interchamber interference in an implanted medical device
An implantable medical device comprises at least two sensing channels for receiving sensed first and second location electrical signals originating from two different locations of a heart. A control unit is connected to the sensing channels and is adapted to process sensed electrical signals originating from first and second locations of the heart. The control unit incorporates an adaptive filter compensator adapted to generate an estimate signal for compensating a far-field contribution of the second location signal to the first location signal, thereby generating an output signal representing a near field signal originating from the first location. A gate is connected to the second location sensing channel and is adapted to enable the adaptive filter compensator only if a predetermined signal is sensed via the second location sensing channel.
US07822469B2 Electrostatic discharge protection for analog component of wrist-worn device
A heart rate monitor with analog and digital input mechanisms is provided with electro static discharge (ESD) protection which protects electrical components within the monitor. The heart rate monitor input mechanisms may include externally exposed sensors comprised of a conducting material, such as metal. The sensors may include push buttons, a dial, and one or more sensors for retrieving a heart rate signal, such as a case back for the monitor device. Internal circuitry such as an integrated circuit (IC) performs operations to provide time, a heart rate, and other information through a display. The ESD protection prevents any voltage discharge accumulating on the externally exposed sensors from reaching the one or more ICs and interrupting or negatively affecting performance of the monitor.
US07822458B2 Distal bevel-tip needle control device and algorithm
Disclosed is a system for percutaneously steering a surgical needle. Needle steering is accomplished by taking advantage of a deflection force imparted on the bevel tip of the needle by the tissue medium as the needle is pushed through the tissue. By controlling the translation speed and rotation angle of the bevel, a flexible needle may be steered substantially without deflecting or distorting the tissue. The control inputs (translation speed and rotation angle) are computed based on a “bicycle” non-holonomic kinematic model that is a function of mechanical properties of the tissue medium. The system may be used with image-based feedback, which may provide for feedback-based refinement of the model as the needle propagates through the tissue.
US07822455B2 Analyte sensors and methods of use
An analyte sensor system including a substrate, a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the substrate, a second electrode disposed on a second surface of the substrate, a third electrode provided in electrical contact with at least one of the first or second electrodes, where at least a portion of the first electrode and the second electrode are subcutaneously positioned in a patient, and where the third electrode is substantially entirely positioned external to the patient, and corresponding methods are provided.
US07822454B1 Fluid sampling device with improved analyte detecting member configuration
An assembly is described that combines blood chemical analysis with lancing in a single multiple-test disposable cartridge. The penetrating members can be assembled and sterilized without damaging the analytical chemistry, and the functioning of the present radical disc cartridge mechanism is not substantially modified.
US07822453B2 Forehead sensor placement
Forehead oximetry sensor devices and methods for determining physiological parameters using forehead oximetry sensors. One method includes placing an oximetry sensor on the forehead of a patient, such that the sensor is placed on the lower forehead region, above the eyebrow with the sensor optics placed lateral of the iris and proximal the temple; and operating the pulse oximeter to obtain the physiological parameter. In one aspect, the method also includes providing and placing a headband over the oximetry sensor, or alternately, the sensor is a headband-integrated sensor. The headband has an elastic segment sized to fit around the patient's head. The headband also includes a non-elastic segment that is smaller than and attached with the elastic segment. The non-elastic segment is sized to span a portion of the elastic segment when the elastic segment is stretched. In addition, the non-elastic segment is larger than the portion of the elastic segment it spans when the elastic segment is not stretched. When the headband or the headband-integrated sensor is sufficiently tight, it delivers a pressure in the range higher than the venous pressure and lower than the capillary pressure to the forehead of the patient.
US07822449B2 Cover for mobile communication terminal, and mobile communication terminal
In a front surface leather portion of a cover 10, there are formed a display surface opening portion 14 for exposing a display screen of a display of a mobile communication terminal 90, an operating surface opening portion 15 for exposing an operating surface of an input device of the terminal 90, and a fitting opening portion 16 for fitting this cover 10 to the terminal 90. Accordingly, even when the cover 10 is fitted, it is possible for the user both to check the display screen of the terminal 90 from the portion 14 and to actuate the input device of the terminal 90 from the portion 15. Due to this, it is possible to implement a cover for a mobile communication terminal which, along with maintaining a good operating feeling and serving as cushioning material in the case of shock, can also impart a soft texture and a sense of high quality.
US07822445B2 Hand held apparatus and flip device thereof
A hand held apparatus includes a base, a foldable cover, a positioning seat, an elastic surface and a cam. The positioning seat is mounted on the base. The elastic surface is mounted on the base. The cam is mounted on the foldable cover and touches the elastic surface. The cam further has a positioning pin at one end thereof, and the positioning pin is pivotally coupled to the positioning seat, such that the foldable cover has the ability to be elastically rotated relative to the base.
US07822441B2 Access point
An access point 10 providing a wireless LAN connection to a terminal device, for the purpose of connecting the terminal device to a WAN, the access point 10 includes: antenna units 210 and 310a-d that send and/or receive a radio frequency signal used for exchanging information via the wireless LAN; signal conversion units 220, 230, 240, 320a-d, 330a-d and 340a-d that perform conversion between the radio frequency signal and a digital signal as the information; an information processing unit 110 that executes processing of the digital signal based on a communication protocol for exchanging of the information; antenna cases 200 and 300a-d that contain the antenna units and the signal conversion units; a main unit case 100 that, separated from the antenna cases, contains the information processing unit; and a wired cables 250 and 350a-d that, connecting the antenna cases and the main unit case, performs transmission the digital signal between the signal conversion units and the information processing unit.
US07822437B2 System and method for dispatch roaming registration
A system and method for providing an user the ability to roam onto a peer Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) Network. An iGW supports the passing of Dispatch registration information back to the users home network. The iGW will also support and assist in setting up Dispatch Calls between the two iDEN Networks, and vice versa. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also support roaming from another technology that supports Dispatch Services, where if a iDEN subscriber with a dual mode phone (i.e., iDEN & GSM), was to roam onto another carrier with a different technology but with Dispatch capabilities, the iDEN subscriber is able to register on the roaming carrier's network. The iGW is capable of receiving the registration update from the roaming network and updating the iDEN Network with the location of the iDEN Subscriber.
US07822434B2 Handheld electronic device including automatic selection of input language, and associated method
A method of automatically establishing an input language for a handheld electronic device includes receiving a request to initiate the composition of a new message, receiving a selection of a particular contact that is the intended recipient of the message, and determining whether the particular contact has a stored preferred input language. If a preferred input language is stored, the method includes determining whether the preferred input language is different than the current input language (which may be a pre-established default input language). If the preferred input language is different, the method further includes switching the current input language to the preferred input language. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method. Also provided is a method of indicating a preferred language in association with a call received by or placed to the device.
US07822433B2 Communications system having pre-defined calling groups
A communications system having a pre-defined calling group with a plurality of members is disclosed. A plurality of personal communication devices (PCDs) each have a system ID and a group ID, and each member of the group is assigned one of the PCDs. The system ID and the group ID both have a predetermined characteristic, where each system ID has a first variation thereof and each group ID has a second variation. A first group-member having a first PCD contacts a second member having a second PCD by entering into the first PCD the second PCD group ID. The first PCD transmits the first PCD system ID and the second PCD group ID to a communications switch. Based on the first PCD system ID, the communications switch locates a record for the first PCD in a switch database and determines therefrom that the first PCD can contact the second PCD by way of the second PCD group ID. A group database in switchable communication with the communications switch has the system ID and group ID for each group member PCD. The communications switch forwards the contact and the second PCD group ID to the group database for further processing. The group database determines that the second PCD group ID is located therein, locates the second PCD system ID based on the second PCD group ID, and forwards the attempted contact and the second PCD system ID to an appropriate communications switch for further processing.
US07822431B2 Mobile communication device for accessing network isolated devices
According to a method of relaying data originated from the network isolated device which is addressed to a target destination device, the method includes establishing a temporary wireless communication connection with the network isolated device, storing data received from the network isolated device via the temporary wireless communication connection and terminating the temporary wireless communication connection. A subsequent communication connection is established with a communication device and the data is transferred to the communication device via the subsequent communication connection. Subsequent transfers of the data to other communication devices are ceased regardless of whether the data is successfully relayed to the target destination device in response to a data transfer extinction parameter, and the stored data is deleted in response to the data transfer extinction parameter.
US07822430B2 Ultra wide band device and detect-and-avoid method thereof
An ultra wide band (UWB) device and a detect and avoid (DAA) method thereof are provided. The UWB device includes a detect and avoid (DAA) module block which detects a strength of radio signals received in a plurality of channels and determines communicability of the channels; a multitone generation block which generates a plurality of frequencies corresponding to the plurality of the channels and outputs one of the plurality of frequencies; and a controller which controls the multitone generation block to generate frequencies of an available channel which is determined to be communicable by the DAA module block. The method includes detecting a strength of radio signals received in a plurality of channels; determining communicability of the channels according to the detected strength of the radio signals; generating frequencies corresponding to a channel which is determined to be communicable; and transmitting or receiving a signal using the generated frequencies.
US07822429B2 Method of updating channel information by a mobile station that is in power saving mode
A method of updating channel information by a mobile station (MS) that is in power saving mode is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes the MS which receives status information of a first channel descriptor and transmission frame information which includes when the first channel descriptor is to be transmitted. Furthermore, the MS compares status information of the first channel descriptor with status information of a second channel descriptor. Here, the second channel descriptor is stored in the MS. Lastly, if the compared status information are different, the MS receives the first channel descriptor according to the transmission frame information.
US07822427B1 Method and system for using a wireless signal received via a repeater for location determination
A base station almanac (BSA) includes entries for a plurality of repeaters. An entry for a repeater includes location-determination parameters associated with that repeater, such as (i) a repeater forward link calibration (FLC) value that correct for transmission delay associated with the repeater and (ii) a center point of the repeater's coverage area. A measured power level and a measured phase of a wireless signal transmitted by a base transceiver station (BTS) and received by the mobile station are obtained. An expected received power level is calculated based on the measured phase and the transmit power level of the BTS. If the measured power level exceeds the expected received power level by at least a predetermined amount, then it is determined that the mobile station received the wireless signal via a repeater and one or more location-determination parameters associated with the repeater are used to determine the mobile station's location.
US07822423B2 Provision of location information
In a telecommunication system communication to and/or from a user equipment is carried on a user plane and messages supporting the communication are carried on a control plane. Information supporting provision of information about the location of the user equipment is also arranged to be carried on the user plane to and/or from the user equipment.
US07822420B1 Method and base station for allocating a channel required for a radio transmission
For a radio transmission between a subscriber station and a base station in accordance with a hybrid multiple access method (e.g. CDMA, FDMA, TDMA), unambiguous descriptions for the usable transmission resources in the uplink and downlink are proposed to obtain efficient utilization of resources in the access of symmetric and/or unsymmetric services, the channel description containing information on the order of channel utilization during the radio transmission.
US07822419B2 Method for concurrent multiple services in a mobile communication system
A method for providing concurrent service in a mobile communication system is disclosed in which a SCCP connection identifier SLR/DLR of a lower layer and a Service Option Connection Identifier (SOCI) on an IOS message of the higher layer to be exchanged are transmitted when a SCCP connection is established between a BSC and a MSC, thereby providing additional services to those already requested from a mobile station after the SCCP connection establishment without stopping a currently used service. According to the method, the concurrent service is provided while minimizing the conventional call processing procedures on the interface between the BSC and the MSC, thereby allowing a subscriber to use new additional service without stopping the current service or concurrently use a plurality of services such as voice and packet data services. Furthermore, a flexible confront is possible to a future development direction of the network. Providing concurrent service is an essential function of the third generation mobile communication network in a multimedia environment.
US07822416B2 Methods and systems for allowing global roaming between devices supported by different protocols
Techniques are provided to allow global roaming between different devices in different networks, using different protocols. A system may contain one or more protocol dependent logic servers (PDLSs), in which each PDLS is associated with a particular network/network protocol. The networks may comprise one or more wired telecommunications networks, wireless communications networks, or Internet-based networks. When a first PDLS receives an incoming, protocol-dependent message comprising a first protocol from a first network intended for a user currently registered on another network, the first PDLS converts the protocol-dependent message into an incoming, protocol-independent message and forwards it to another network element, such as a core logic server (CLS). The CLS processes the incoming, protocol-independent message, generates an appropriate outgoing protocol-independent message and forwards this message to a second PDLS. The second PDLS converts the outgoing, protocol-independent message to an appropriate outgoing, protocol-dependent message and forwards it to a second network operating using a second protocol. The conversion of incoming, protocol-independent messages into outgoing, protocol-independent messages eventually enables a link to be established between the two networks operating using different protocols.
US07822415B2 In-flight transceiver and locator system
Military systems in particular face two specific problems: field casualties typically increase as unit visibility decreases and it is often difficult for ground stations and/or headquarters to maintain control and visibility of geographically dispersed assets. The system provides satellite communications such as two-way messaging, Voice over Packet, and global positioning information and reporting for fixed and rotary wing aircrafts where traditional methods of communications are not otherwise practical. The system provides communications between remote users and other remote users as well as between remote users and control stations. In some embodiments there is an in-flight transceiver system that includes an antenna, an aviation box, and a switch. The aviation box conforms to a one-half, ½ short Air Transport Rack (ATR) form factor and includes a transceiver, an interface card, and a global positioning system (GPS) unit. The switch is located between the aviation box and the antenna for controlling a data signal between the antenna and the transceiver of the aviation box.
US07822413B2 Method and system for adaptive modification of cell boundary
A method and system for reducing interference in a cellular radio communications network. At least one parameter affecting user terminals within a cell is adjusted such that the cell boundary is modified, such that interference in the network is reduced. In alternative embodiments the at least one parameter is adjusted adaptively.
US07822412B2 System and method for accessing a wireless network
A method for accessing a wireless network comprises detecting at least one wireless network within which a wireless device is located while the wireless device in a transmit off mode. The method also comprises determining whether the at least one wireless network is on a list of requested wireless networks.
US07822411B2 Electronic apparatus operating system
When a user validation portion validates that a person is present adjacent to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus generates an identification code, converts the identification code to a QR code, and displays the QR code on an identification code display portion. When the QR code that has been displayed has been inputted with an identification code input portion to allow an operation portion to assign operation for the electronic apparatus, an operation portion transmits operation information that indicates the operation that has been assigned and the identification code to which the QR code that has been inputted has been decoded. When the identification code that has been received by the electronic apparatus corresponds to the identification code that has been displayed thereon, the electronic apparatus executes the process according to the operation indicated by the operation information that has been received thereby.
US07822410B2 System and method for deploying application program components having an application server
A communication system includes a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices, a business sector for controlling utilization of an application program and for receiving application data, a service sector for deploying the application program and for providing the application data to the business sector in accordance with communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device for receiving the application program deployed by the service sector, executing the application program in response to the business sector, and communicating with the service sector to support provision of the application data to the business sector. The wireless device, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or palm top computer may include an auxiliary device such as a bar code scanner, a magnetic stripe card reader, or a printer.
US07822407B2 Method for selecting the authentication manner at the network side
The present invention discloses a method for a network to choose an authentication mode, wherein the key lies in that, according to the received authentication information in the authentication vector request message from S-CSCF as well as according to type of the requesting subscriber, HSS returns authentication information of the Early-IMS-based authentication vector to S-CSCF, or returns authentication information of the Full-IMS-based authentication mode to S-CSCF, or directly returns failure information to S-CSCF. If it is under the former two situations, the subscriber will be authenticated by adopting the corresponding authentication mode, and then S-CSCF will return access-allowed or access-rejected information to the subscriber according to authentication result. If it is in the latter situation, S-CSCF will directly send access-rejected information to the subscriber. By applying the present invention, the network can choose a proper authentication mode to authenticate the subscriber according to the subscriber's requirements, so that processing ability of the network is enhanced and the network is compatible with original security protocols to the fullest extent.
US07822406B2 Simplified dual mode wireless device authentication apparatus and method
Provisioned wireless service (PWS) authentication apparatus and method simplifies determination of PWS authentication state by dual mode access point (DMAP) receiving an identifying credential from supplicant dual mode mobile station (DMMS) within predefined authentication period and comparing with authentication credential. DMMS is provisioned PWS upon authentication. DMAP having multiple BSSID remotely configurable to differentiate between provisioned services (e.g., voice, VoIP) and standard wireline/fixed wireless services. DMAP and DMMS are each identifiable by respective unique provisioned service BSSID. Identifying credential can be pass code supplied to DMMS user by DMAP operator to facilitate authenticated association and to deter wireless channel interlopers.
US07822402B2 Method of performing frequency conversion and associated frequency converter
A method of performing frequency conversion and associated frequency converter are provided. The method includes: receiving an input signal and a plurality of periodic ternary signals of the same frequency but different timings; generating a plurality of conversion signals using a plurality of conversion paths in response to the input signal and states of said periodic ternary signals; and summing the conversion signals to generate an output signal.
US07822398B2 Device, system, and method of phased-array calibration
Device, system, and method of phased-array calibration. In some demonstrative embodiments, a wireless communication device may include an array of antenna elements; a calibration element located at a predefined location relative to the antenna elements; and an antenna controller capable of calibrating at least one beam forming weight of at least one antenna element of the array of antenna elements based on a detected phase of a calibration signal transmitted via one of the calibration element and the antenna element and received via another of the calibration element and the antenna element. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07822396B2 Radio receiver and method for detecting carrier waves
An object of the present invention is to provide a radio receiver and a method for detecting carrier waves which make it possible to detect carrier waves for an IBOC type hybrid broadcast reliably. A radio receiver for receiving carrier waves for hybrid broadcasts which are arranged so as to be adjacent to and located on both sides of carrier waves for analog broadcasts in frequency bands includes a tuner for tuning to a broadcast frequency, and a controller for setting a center frequency of shift frequency in a range where carrier waves for an analog broadcast can be detected and allowing the tuner to tune to the set shift frequency.
US07822395B2 Iterative multi-stage detection technique for a diversity receiver having multiple antenna elements
An iterative multistage detection system and method for orthogonally multiplexing K channels onto a signal processing chain using N orthogonal sequences of length N. The K channels include a first set of N channels and a second set of M channels (the M channels being separate and distinct from the N channels), where K=N+M. In a first iteration, interference from the first set of N channels imparted on the second set of M channels is removed from the multiplexed signal, thereby enabling the symbol values associated with the second set of M channels to be reliably estimated. In a second iteration, interference from the second set of M channels imparted on the first set of N channels is removed from the first set of N-channels, thereby enabling the symbol values associated with the first set of N channels to be reliably estimated.
US07822394B2 Electrostatic protection circuit with impedance matching for radio frequency integrated circuits
An electrostatic-discharge/impedance-matching circuit for use in radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits. The electrostatic-discharge/impedance-matching circuit comprises at least one shunt circuit operable to shunt current related to an over-voltage condition and at least one series element operably coupled to the shunt element. The shunt element and series element in combination provide electrostatic discharge protection for the RF signal processing circuit elements on the integrated circuit and also provide a matched input impedance for an incoming RF signal. Various alternate embodiments of the electrostatic-discharge/impedance-matching circuit include first and second shunt elements and a series element operably connected in combination to provide optimal electrostatic discharge protection and impedance matching. The electrostatic-discharge/impedance-matching circuit can be placed at various locations on the integrated circuit to provide optimal performance depending on the particular architecture of the integrated circuit.
US07822392B2 Frequency modulation circuit, transmission circuit and communication device
Provided is a frequency modulation circuit for outputting a frequency-modulated signal with a high precision. A VCO 13 includes a first variable capacitor 132 having a predetermined capacitance change rate, and a second variable capacitor 133 having a greater capacitance change rate than that of the first variable capacitor 132. When the frequency modulation circuit is applied in a narrowband modulation method, a switch 15 switches a connection path of an open loop such that an input terminal and the first variable capacitor 132 are connected. On the other hand, when the frequency modulation circuit is applied in a wideband modulation method, the switch 15 switches the connection path of the open loop such that the input terminal and the second variable capacitor 133 are connected.
US07822386B2 Method and apparatus for increasing data throughput
A method, according to various aspects of the present invention, for improving a data throughput between the wireless cell and the client. A wireless cell performs the method. The method includes in any practical order (1) determining a primary direction of data flow between the wireless cell and the client, wherein if the primary direction of data flow is from the wireless cell to the client, denominating the wireless cell as a transmitting device and the client as a receiving device, otherwise, denominating the client as a transmitting device and the wireless cell as a receiving device; (2) the receiving device detecting a factor that reduces data throughput for each one channel of the plurality of channels; and (3) assigning one channel of the plurality of channels to the transmitting device and the receiving device responsive to detecting thereby improving data throughput.
US07822385B2 Adjacent channel interference supression
Adjacent channel interference (ACI) suppression is achieved by selectively applying one or more pre-calculated fixed filters only when necessary, thereby preserving the sensitivity of the receiver. An energy detector accurately detects adjacent channel interference in the frequency band of the desired signal so that the likelihood of a false detection of ACI is very low. If the energy detector detects adjacent channel interference is present in the band of the desired signal, then the received signal is selected to be filtered by the pre-calculated filter, e.g., a low pass filter. Otherwise, the pre-calculated filter is bypassed. In either case, additional ACI suppression processing may be employed.
US07822384B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing mobile ad hoc cooperative communication systems and related devices
A method of operating a mobile electronic device includes detecting at least one other mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the mobile electronic device, and determining a spatial relationship of the at least one other mobile electronic device relative to the mobile electronic device. An ad hoc wireless connection is established with the at least one other mobile electronic device based on the determined spatial relationship. Data may be transmitted to and/or received from the at least one other mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection based on the determined spatial relationship. Related systems, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.
US07822381B2 System for audio broadcast channel remapping and rebranding using content insertion
A system is provided for generating a remapped audio stream at digital audio broadcast radios from a first audio stream using content insertion to allow tiered subscription services. A remapped audio stream is rebranded by extracting segments from the first audio stream relating to channel identification segments and disk jockey talking segments and replacing them with stored audio items (e.g., commercials, different channel identification segments and different disk jockey talking segments). Stored audio items for insertion are broadcast to the radios with messages for controlling the scheduling of insertion at the radios, and the storage and deletion of these audio segments at the radios. Stored audio items and messages can be sent using a different, localized broadcast system from that used to transmit the source audio stream to permit market-specific commercial insertion. Group file format for delivery permits intermittently used radios to receive the stored audio items and messages.
US07822375B2 Image forming apparatus that may correct the positional alignment of images
An image forming apparatus includes: plural image holding members, on respective surfaces of which toner images are formed, the toner images being arrayable such that the length in the array direction and the color are different between adjacent toner images; a transfer body, onto which the toner images formed on the plural image holding members are transferred, such that there is a spacing between the adjacent toner images in the array direction; a detecting unit, detecting the length in the array direction of each of the toner images transferred onto the transfer body and detecting the amount of shift in the array direction of each toner image from a reference position; and a correction unit, correcting misalignment of each toner image of each color using the shift amount of the toner image with a length detected by the detecting unit within a predetermined threshold range.
US07822374B2 Image formation device
There is provided an image formation device comprising an electrostatic latent image holding body having an latent image formation surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developer supply unit to supply developer to the electrostatic latent image holding body to form, on the latent image formation surface, a developer image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image; a developer transfer unit located to face the electrostatic latent image holding body to transfer the developer image to a developer image holding surface; and a contacting member to contact the latent image formation surface at a stage which is after formation of the developer image and before transfer of the developer image to the developer image holding surface.
US07822373B2 Developer conveying device and image-forming apparatus with electrodes for conveying charged developer
A developer conveying device includes a first guide member, a second guide member, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the first guide member and the second guide member. The first guide member forms a first section of a conveying path of a charged developer. The second guide member forms a second section of the conveying path which continues from the first section of the conveying path. The plurality of electrodes generate a traveling wave electric field that conveys the charged developer along the conveying path. A following rate at which the developer follows travel of the traveling wave electric field in the second section is different from the following rate in the first section.
US07822372B2 Developer supply container
In a structure in which a gear train 5, 6 of a developer supply container 1 is locked by a locking member 7, and by the gear train 5, 6 receiving a drive from a gear 12 of the developer receiving apparatus, the setting rotation of the developer supply container 1 is automatically carried out, the setting rotation of the developer supply container 1 is not possible if a releasing projection 5a is at a position interfering a locking member 7. In view of this, the gear 5 is rotated to effect the locking member 7 to lock by abutment of an engaging portion 5d of the gear 5 to an engaging portion 13a of the developer receiving apparatus 10 with inserting operation of developer supply container 1. Therefore, upon completion of the insertion of the developer supply container 1, the gear train 5, 6 is locked by the locking member 7, and therefore, the setting rotation of the developer supply container 1 can be carried out properly.
US07822368B2 Container for developing agent, and image forming apparatus incorporating the same
In a container is adapted to be coupled with another container, a first wall member defines a first storage space adapted to store developing agent for forming an image on a recording medium. A first coupler is adapted to be coupled with a second coupler provided with the first another container. A first communicator is operable to communicate the first storage space with a second storage space provided with the first another container by way of the first coupler and the second coupler, when the container is coupled with another container.
US07822365B2 Image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of image forming means; a first image forming means; a second image forming means; a belt member to be transferred with the toner image formed on each image forming means; and a plurality of suspending members, wherein said plurality of image forming means are arranged so as to face to a first belt surface between the suspending members; the first and second image forming means are arranged so as to face to a second belt surface different from the first belt surface; and a distance, between adjacent contact portions of the image forming means on the second belt surface side and said second belt surface, is greater than a distance, between adjacent contact portions of the image forming means on the first belt surface side and said first belt surface.
US07822363B2 Image forming apparatus with charge member and image supporting member having specific characteristics
An image forming apparatus includes: an image supporting member; a charge member for charging a surface of the image supporting member; an exposure member for forming a latent image on the surface of the image supporting member charged by the charge roller; a developer supporting member for developing the latent image formed by the exposure member to form a toner image; and a transfer member for transferring the toner image formed by the developer supporting member to a medium. The image supporting member has a dark decay characteristic ratio of 95% or less relative to charges having a polarity opposite to that of a charge voltage applied by the charge member.
US07822358B2 Image forming device with image reading section supporting body
An image forming device having an image reading section which is supported in a cantilevered state with a space between the image reading section and a top surface of an image forming section, the image forming device including: a housing of the image forming section; and a first supporting body fixed to a side surface of the housing and supporting the image reading section, wherein the first supporting body has: a first supporting portion fixed to the side surface of the housing and supporting the image reading section; and a second supporting portion extending from the first supporting portion in a same direction as the image reading section which is supported in the cantilevered state, and a receiving portion, which fixes the second supporting portion, and is provided at the side surface of the housing.
US07822355B2 Method and device to prevent dust agglomeration on corona electrodes
The present invention is related to preventing dust agglomeration on a sharp electrode which is used for generating corona. According to certain aspects, the invention includes a dust shroud which decreases or prevents dust accumulation on the sharp electrodes. The dust shroud changes the gas flow path so as to reduce the amount of gas passing near the sharp electrode. An advantage of the shroud is that it prevents dust from building up on the electrodes. The shroud is a simple, passive addition to the electrostatic pump, such that the pump is otherwise able to operate normally throughout its life. In embodiments, the shroud can be used to protect a corona electrode used in heat sink applications especially in electronics cooling. It can also be used in electrostatic precipitators for cleaning dust or chemical or microbe particles from air.
US07822352B2 Thermally conditioned image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to an article, system and method for thermally conditioning an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may incorporate a heating device and a component that includes a lubricant. The component including the lubricant may be preheated before movement and then rotated at reduced speeds prior to a printing operation. This may occur during an image forming apparatus cold start or power saver mode.
US07822349B2 Digital iterative gain control
In an IR communication network, a method is described to optimize channel performance in the presence of strong and varying IR interference. The method controls of the channel gain based on quantitative measurement of the channel noise.
US07822348B2 Adaptive pulse shape control
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for optimizing the pulse shape of optical signals output from an optical transmitter. The optical transmitter includes an optical modulator controlled by a bias voltage and a signal drive level, wherein the bias voltage and signal drive level are controlled automatically in a systematic way in dependence on one another to adapt the pulse shape of an optical output signal for optimal transmission over a transmission line.
US07822347B1 Active tuning of temporal dispersion in an ultrashort pulse laser system
A chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system and method is described wherein the dispersion of the system is tuned by actively tuning one or more system components, for example, using a temperature or strain gradient, or using actinic radiation. In other embodiments, an additional element, such as a modulator, is added to the CPA system to actively to tune the pulse. A pulse monitor is added to the system to measure an output pulse and provide feedback to one or more active tuning elements.
US07822345B2 Output stage for carrying out WDM message transmission and methods for exchanging full light sources in an output stage of this type
An output stage for WDM information transmission transmits a plurality of carrier waves modulated by an information signal and a filling lightwave. A first control circuit controls a desired power signal which determines the power of the filling light source so that the total power of carrier and filling lightwaves detected by a photodetector is held constant at a predetermined reference level. The filling light source is part of an assembly which is replaceably mounted at a first mounting location of the output stage. At a second mounting location of the output stage a second assembly comprising a second filling light source is mounted or adapted to be mounted. An auxiliary circuit is adapted to provide one of the two filling light sources with a continuously decreasing second desired power signal.
US07822342B1 Secure quantum optical communications system and method
An optical communication system is provided. In one embodiment, a source creates a multiplicity of photon pairs, with each photon pair comprising a first photon and a second photon. The first photon is sent to a transmitter, and either remains in the transmitter or is transmitted by the transmitter to a receiver. The second photon is sent to the receiver. Data is decoded by determining a polarization direction and a time of detection of any photon pairs detected at the receiver.
US07822341B2 Coordination of control operations in an optical network
In one embodiment, a control method, according to which a cascade of control messages is propagated between nodes of an optically transparent network, with each message being sent from a node to an adjacent downstream node to inform the latter about a control operation scheduled to be performed at the message-sending node and/or an upstream node that impacts an optical communication signal received at that downstream node. The cascade of control messages effectively creates an ad hoc control domain, in which control operations performed at various nodes of that domain can be coordinated to reduce unfavorable interactions between those control operations. By repeatedly propagating appropriate cascades of control messages through the network, control domains can be changed dynamically and adaptively to reflect any changes to the network topology, equipment, and/or traffic distribution.
US07822340B2 Photodiode assembly within a fiber optic tap and methods thereof
An arrangement in a fiber optic network device for analyzing a set of optical signals traversing the fiber optic network device is provided. The arrangement includes a set of ports for receiving and outputting the set of optical signals. The arrangement also includes a set of photodiodes, which is configured at least for receiving and forwarding the set of optical signals. The arrangement further includes a splitter, which is configured at least for receiving the set of optical signals from a first photodiode, splitting the set of optical signals into at least a first part and a second part, and forwarding the first part to a second photodiode and the second part to a third photodiode. The set of optical signals is configured to traverse the fiber optic network device irrespective whether power is provided to circuitry of the fiber optic network device.
US07822337B2 Apparatus and method for image capturing, apparatus and method for playback, and program
An image capturing apparatus for capturing a first image of a subject may include a detecting unit, a determining unit, and a display control unit. The detecting unit detects a user's operation for instructing activation of a function. The determining unit determines whether or not an instruction of capturing the first image is given on the basis of the detected instruction. The display control unit controls, when the instruction of capturing the first image is determined to be given, displaying of a third image among second images so that the third image is not superimposed on the first image. The second images allow the user to instruct activation of various functions. The third image allows the user to instruct activation of a function that is not operable by the user during the image capturing operation.
US07822336B2 Image capture device with automatic focusing function
In a digital camera, a focus lens is moved at a low speed between a timing at which a shutter key is half pressed and a timing at which the shutter key is fully pressed to detect a focused position. When the shutter key is fully pressed by a user before the focus lens reaches a focused position, the focus lens is moved at a higher speed than that of a case in which the shutter key is half pressed, and a focused position is detected. Thereby, even when the shutter key is fully pressed by a user before the focus lens reaches the focused position, the digital camera can realize focusing with less delay in capturing.
US07822335B1 Lens protector
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising covering a camera lens with a light pipe adapted to: substantially encircle at least a portion of a camera lens that is adapted to focus an image representing an object of photographic interest; extend from a proximal region of said light pipe located substantially adjacent a plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest, the plurality of lighting elements located, relative to the object of photographic interest, substantially adjacent a base of the camera lens and substantially behind a face of the camera lens; and convey light from the plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest.
US07822334B2 Imaging device and in-focus control method
An imaging device includes an imaging unit that obtains an image signal relating to a subject, a driving unit that drives a focus lens, a first detecting unit that performs focus detection based on a contrast detection method to detect an in-focus position of the focus lens, a second detecting unit that performs focus detection based on a phase difference detection method, while the focus lens is being driven toward the in-focus position, to detect a provisional in-focus position of the focus lens, and an in-focus control unit that controls the driving unit to drive the focus lens to pass through the provisional in-focus position and then return to the in-focus position. Focus detection information is obtained at least for a given range of positions, and is stored in a predetermined storage unit. The in-focus position is detected based on the stored focus detection information.
US07822331B2 Image blur correction device, lens barrel and imaging apparatus
An image blur correction device is provided. The device includes a correction lens, a first movable frame, a second movable frame, a fixed base, a driving part and a guide mechanism. The correction lens is configured to correct an image blur in a lens system. The first movable frame holds the correction lens. The second movable frame supports the first movable frame to be movable in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens system. The fixed base supports the second movable frame to be movable in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens system and perpendicular to the first direction. The driving part moves the first movable frame in the first direction and moves the second movable frame in the second direction. The guide mechanism has at least one guide shaft guiding both the first movable frame and the second movable frame.
US07822330B2 Image blur correction device and camera
An image blur correction device includes: a blur correction optical system that corrects for image blur by moving in first and second directions on a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis; a first actuator that drives the blur correction optical system in the first direction; a second actuator that drives the blur correction optical system in a second direction that is approximately orthogonal to the first direction; and a position measurement device that measures move amount of the blur correction optical system; and in the image blur correction device, the blur correction optical system, the first actuator, the second actuator and the position measurement device are arranged in series approximately along an imaginary straight line that is parallel to the first direction.
US07822326B2 Hybrid heater
A hybrid heater that includes a structural mass into which passages are provided to create a labyrinth for chemical flow through the structural mass, the passages being sized and disposed to receive a plurality of heater rods such that the chemical is traversed through the passages in direct contact with the heater rods. A coiled spring may be disposed or other spiral arrangement provided in the space between and against the walls of the passages and the heater rod to facilitate flow uniformity around the rods. A temperature sensor may be provided in direct contact with the heating element and may be fitted with a mass sleeve to draw off any excess heat on the sensor during transitions.
US07822325B2 Water heater and method of customizing the water heater
A water heater including a vessel, a heating fixture (e.g., an electric-resistance heating element, a gas burner) having a rated maximum heating output, and a controller. The controller includes an interface and a temperature sensor. The controller can control the heating output of the heating element based on a sensed temperature of the temperature sensors. The heating output is a defined maximum heating output for the heating fixture. Also disclosed are methods of defining the capabilities of a water hater heater and methods of operating a water heater.
US07822323B2 Fan
Fan includes wires electrically connected to the circuit board outwardly extends from a base toward a housing along a rib connecting the base supporting a motor and the housing. The housing includes a wire-receiving section defined by a through hole extending in the housing, and a slit connecting the through hole and an outside of the housing along a direction in which the through hole extends. The wires are inserted into the wire-receiving section via the slit, and then, led outside of the housing through the wire-receiving section. A wire-holding member is then inserted into the wire-receiving section to close the slit to prevent the wires from coming out of the wire-receiving section and to restrict the movement of the wires.
US07822322B2 Optical disk device
When a break in data is detected by a detection unit, an audio output stoppage command unit commands a digital audio processing device connected to an audio output unit to stop output of audio. A sampling frequency checking unit checks whether or not the sampling frequency of the audio data before the break, and the sampling frequency of the audio data after the break, are the same. When the sampling frequency checking unit detects that these sampling frequencies are the same, an audio output stoppage elimination command unit waits until a fixed time period has elapsed, and then returns the reading position upon the optical disk at which the reading unit reads in data to a position directly after the break, and also commands the digital audio processing device to eliminate the stoppage of output of audio.
US07822321B2 Image pickup device and reproduction control method
An image pickup device includes an image pickup including an image pickup lens system and an image pickup element operable to obtain a pickup image; a recording device operable to record image data based on the pickup image to a predetermined recording medium; a reproducing section operable to reproduce the image data recorded in the recording medium; and a reproduction controller operable to control switching between an image pickup mode in which the image pickup operation by the image pickup and recording of the image data by the recording device are possible, and a reproduction mode in which the reproduction of the image data by the reproducing section is possible, to control the reproduction of the image data based on a last recorded image when the mode is changed to the reproduction mode for the first time after recording of the image data in the image pickup mode, and to control the reproduction of the image data based on a point at which the reproduction has been terminated in the previous reproduction mode when the mode is changed to the reproduction mode other than the first time after recording of the image data in the image pickup mode.
US07822320B2 Method and apparatus for creating still picture management data and recording still pictures on a recording medium
The present invention relates to a method of grouping still pictures recorded on a recording medium for the purpose of efficient management. The present method records still pictures onto a recording medium, groups the recorded still pictures based on their attributes and attributes of recorded audio data associated with respective still pictures, creates management information about each still-picture group, and writes the group management information onto the recording medium. Owing to the recorded group management information, a user can easily and rapidly find many still pictures on a recording medium that have been obtained in the same photographing condition.
US07822315B2 Editing device, editing apparatus, and editing method for HDTV signal
An editing device including first and second decoders that decompress the compressed first and second high-definition television video data transferred by a computer; respectively, and edit processing unit for performing edit processing on the decompressed first high-definition television video data and the decompressed second high-definition television video data. A result of edit processing performed by the edit processing means is output. The compressed first high-definition television video data and the compressed second high-definition television video data are transferred in parallel from the computer to the first decoder and the second decoder, respectively.
US07822314B1 Segmented acoustic core photonic crystal fiber laser
Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a photonic crystal fiber is suppressed by doping the individual core segments such that the Brillouin frequency of each segment is sufficiently different from the neighboring segments that Brillouin scattered light from one core segment sees negligible gain from the other core segments, whereby higher power narrow-linewidth optical fiber amplifiers and lasers may be obtained. The optical properties of the guiding medium are preserved through the careful design of the core and the lattice structure.
US07822312B2 Splitter modules for fiber distribution hubs
A splitter module for a fiber distribution hub includes a main body with a first aperture configured to receive an input fiber entering the splitter module, and a second aperture configured for a plurality of distribution fibers exiting the splitter module. The splitter module also includes a fin configured to be received in a slot of a splitter tray of a fiber distribution hub, and a pin configured to engage a hole in the splitter tray. The fin is received in the slot, and the pin is received in the hole of the fiber distribution hub to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution module.
US07822310B2 Fiber optic splice trays
There is provided splice trays and splice assemblies that provide convenient access to optical fiber slack within a relatively small area or volume. Some splice trays are adapted for use with microstructured optical fibers to further reduce the size of the splice tray or splice assembly. Some splice trays provide fiber routing devices on the cover of the splice tray. The fiber routing device may be positioned on an inside surface of the cover and/or on an outside surface of the cover. The splice trays and/or splice assemblies may be used with or as fiber drop terminals used within multiple dwelling units.
US07822309B2 Drive for system for processing fiber optic connectors
An apparatus for moving a fiber including a plurality of fiber optic connectors through a system for processing the plurality of fiber optic connectors. The apparatus can include a first drive mechanism for moving the fiber through the system, such as a cart and a conveyor. The apparatus can include a second drive mechanism for moving the plurality of fiber optic connectors through the system, such as a screw drive. The apparatus can also include a controller for coordinating movement of the first drive mechanism with the second drive mechanism.
US07822306B2 Buoyancy neutral fiber optic cable
A robust fiber optic cable is well suited for harsh environments, such as undersea environments, as a communication link to a mobile undersea vehicle. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic cable is constructed to have neutral buoyancy in salt water. The fiber optic cable may include one single mode optical fiber. A suspension fluid, such as light mineral oil surrounds the optical fiber. In an optional embodiment, a plurality of strength members also surrounds the optical fiber and these elements are surrounded by an outer jacket. In another optional embodiment, the optical fiber and suspension fluid may be loosely surrounded by an inner containment tube, a plurality of strength members surrounds the inner containment tube, and these elements are surrounded by an outer jacket, which may be bonded to the inner containment tube.
US07822302B2 Circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a circuit board which suppresses abnormal formation of plated layer inside a via, caused by core materials of glass fibers or the like projected from a side wall of the via and which helps to improve the connection reliability of the via. An insulating layer, which is formed of thermoset resin and embedded with glass fibers, is provided between a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer. The glass fibers projected into a via hole side from a side wall of the via hole in different positions are embedded into a via conductor in such a state that the glass fibers are jointed with each other.
US07822298B2 Polarization component processor, method of processing polarization components and integrated photonic circuit employing the same
An apparatus and a method by which polarization components may be processed separately, for example, to enable a polarization beam splitter (PBS) or a switch. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: first and second Mach-Zehnder interferometers, each Mach-Zehnder interferometer having input and output optical couplers and two internal optical arms, each optical arm connecting one output of the input optical coupler to a corresponding input of the output optical coupler, the output optical coupler of the first Mach-Zehnder interferometer being the input optical coupler of the second Mach-Zehnder interferometer, wherein the input optical coupler of the first Mach-Zehnder interferometer is configured to transmit one polarization component of the light to two of the outputs thereof and to transmit a different polarization of the light to substantially only one of the outputs thereof in response to receiving said light at an input thereof.
US07822297B2 Optical modulator
It is an object of the invention to provide an optical modulator in which a connection substrate or a terminal substrate is disposed outside an optical modulation element and which can maintain at a proper voltage amplitude value a modulation signal applied to an optical modulation element. An optical modulator includes: a substrate having electro-optic effect; an optical waveguide formed on the substrate; an optical modulation element 1 having a modulation electrode (which includes a signal electrode 2) for modulating light passing through the optical waveguide; and a connection substrate 20 disposed outside the substrate to supply a modulation signal for driving the optical modulation element to the optical modulation element. In the optical modulator, a signal line for propagating the modulation signal is formed on the connection substrate, and a modulation signal monitoring output line 25 for monitoring the voltage amplitude of the modulation signal is provided right in front of an end of the signal line for supplying the modulation signal from the signal line to the optical modulation element.
US07822293B2 Imaging systems and method for generating video data using edge-aware interpolation with soft-thresholding
Embodiments of an imaging system and method for generating video data with edge-aware interpolation are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, an edge-aware demosaicing process is performed on image sensor data to generate pixel-edge data, and video output data may be generated by adding the pixel-averaged data to difference data weighted by a correction factor. The difference data represents a difference between pixel-averaged data and the pixel-edge data. The correction factor may be proportional to an amount of edge content in the image sensor data.
US07822288B2 Method and system for improved processing of image data
The present invention is a method and system for deriving histograms for neighborhoods of pixels in an image that uses subtractive image regions to increase the size of overlapping regions of regions of series of adjacent image pixels to a size equal to the size of a full neighborhood. Each neighborhood (except for a central neighborhood) is viewed as a combination of the central overlapping neighborhood and one or more additional regions, at least one of which comprises a “subtractive” region, and which vary in size depending on the distance of a pixel from the pixel that is the basis for the central neighborhood. The histogram for each neighborhood is derived by adding the histograms of the central neighborhood and the histograms for the relevant additional region or regions, which may have one or more negative element values. The method and system of the invention allows the processing time for implementing a median filter to be improved to approximately the order of log(r), where r is the “radius” of the median filter being applied.
US07822287B2 Removal of stationary noise pattern from digital images
A method for removing a stationary noise pattern from digital images uses an adaptive noise estimation algorithm to calculate a prediction of the fixed pattern noise and a confidence estimate for the prediction. In one embodiment, a predicted noise value is obtained from the captured image and a predicted image derived from spatial and temporal pixel value prediction techniques. The predicted noise value is used to update a fixed pattern noise estimate only when the confidence estimate for the predicted image is high. In another embodiment, the confidence estimate is used as a weight factor for blending the noise prediction into the noise estimate. In yet another embodiment, the adaptive noise estimation algorithm is applied to a prediction area in the image for calculating scaling parameters which scaling parameters are used to calculate a noise estimate for the entire image based on a reference noise image.
US07822286B2 Filtering artifacts in images with 3D spatio-temporal fuzzy filters
A method filters pixels in a sequence of images. Each image in the sequence is partitioned into blocks of pixels, and the images are processed sequentially. The energy is determined for each block of pixels in each image. The energy of each block is based on variances of intensities of the pixels in the sequence of images. A 3D fuzzy filter is applied to each current pixel in each current block during the sequential processing. The 3D fuzzy filter considers the energy of the block, and the intensities of pixels spatially adjacent and temporally adjacent to the current pixel to remove blocking and ringing artifacts.
US07822281B2 Digital video compression
A method of compressing a current image of a sequence of images. The current image is transformed with a predetermined transform to provide a set of transform coefficients, which are divided into blocks. An encoding termination condition is determined for at least one block, and the block is encoded in a series of coding passes. In a current coding pass, a performance measure is predicted, and encoding is terminated if the performance measure satisfies the encoding termination condition. Different color components may be given different weightings.
US07822277B2 Method and apparatus for communicating compressed video information
A method and apparatus for communicating compressed video information includes storing video information compressed based on a first compression method, such as a method with a high compression ratio, and transcoding the compressed video information to produce corresponding recompressed video information that is based on a second compression method, with a lower compression ratio such as standard JPEG compression or other suitable compression. The method and apparatus, if desired, may include sending the recompressed video information for a destination apparatus which may then suitably decompress the video information using a standard decompression technique. For example, storing the compressed image in a high compressed format, for example, in a piecewise basis may be done online while the camera, for example, is in use so that the image is properly captured and then, transcoding the compressed image to a different level of compression while the camera is offline.
US07822268B2 Advanced processing of active thermography signals
A method for processing thermography signals. A time series of radiometric data is measured from a surface (104) of an object (102) over a period of heating and subsequent cooling, and a mathematical curve (1, 2) is fit to the data. An amplitude aspect and one or more shape aspects are identified for each curve. The amplitude and shape aspects are then used together to characterize features such as defects in the object. The amplitude and shape aspects for an array of such data may be combined in a single noise-free visual display (100) by associating hue (color) with the shape aspect and luminance (brightness) with the amplitude aspect. Optionally, a second shape aspect may be identified and associated with saturation on the display. A visible image of the object may be overlaid on the display.
US07822267B2 Enhanced object reconstruction
Processing images includes projecting an infra-red pattern onto a three-dimensional object and producing a first image, a second image, and a third image of the three-dimensional object while the pattern is projected on the three-dimensional object. The first image and the second image include the three-dimensional object and the pattern. The first image and the second image are produced by capturing at a first camera and a second camera, respectively, light filtered through an infra-red filter. The third image includes the three-dimensional object but not the pattern. Processing the images also includes establishing a first-pair correspondence between a portion of pixels in the first image and a portion of pixels in the second image. Processing the images further includes constructing, based on the first-pair correspondence and the third image, a two-dimensional image that depicts a three-dimensional construction of the three-dimensional object.
US07822263B1 Method and apparatus for alignment, comparison and identification of characteristic tool marks, including ballistic signatures
Systematic use of infrared imaging characterizes marks made on items and identifies the particular marking tool with better accuracy than use of visual imaging. Infrared imaging performed in total darkness eliminates shadows, glint, and other lighting variations and artifacts associated with visible imaging. Although normally used to obtain temperature measurements, details in IR imagery result from emissivity variations as well as thermal variations. Disturbing an item's surface texture creates an emissivity difference producing local changes in the infrared image. Identification is most accurate when IR images of unknown marks are compared to IR images of marks made by known tools. However, infrared analysis offers improvements even when only visual reference images are available. Comparing simultaneous infrared and visual images of an unknown item, such as bullet or shell casing, can detect illumination-induced artifacts in the visual image prior to searching the visual database, thereby reducing potential erroneous matches. Computer numerically controlled positioning of the toolmark relative to imaging sensors which use fixed focus optics with shallow depth of focus, varying focus distance and orientation systematically to construct a sequence of images, maximizes reliability of resulting images and their comparisons.
US07822258B2 3D acoustic imaging using sensor array, longitudinal wave and algebraic reconstruction
A mobile platform is provided which has at least one component having an array of distributed piezoelectric transmitters and an associated array of distributed receivers. The receivers are configured to receive ultrasonic transmissions from the transmitters. Data from the receivers is stored in memory and processed through an algebraic reconstruction tomography algorithm which forms an image of the defect within the component. An algorithm is used to determine the position and size of the defect.
US07822245B2 Method for detecting a response of each probe zone on a test strip
A method for detecting a response of each probe zone on a test strip is provided. The present method includes providing a test strip having a color pattern displayed thereon. The color pattern occurs in response to a tested solution contacting with the test strip and including a plurality of color lines displayed in sequence from a bottom portion of the test strip to a top portion thereof. The site of each color line represents a probe zone of the test strip. Capturing a whole image of the test strip and selecting at least one scan line perpendicular to the image of the color lines therefrom. Setting a pixel position of the scan line having a minimum pixel value corresponding to a bottom edge of the test strip and using the pixel position as a reference to identify respective pixel positions of the color lines on the scan line so as to identify the image positions thereof on the whole image. A response of each probe zone of the test strip related to a gray level of a corresponding image position is thus obtained.
US07822241B2 Device and method for combining two images
Images of static vascular maps (B), which were taken at different phases of the cardiac cycle and/or the respiratory cycle and were archived in a memory (6), are superimposed on a current image (A) of a catheter (2, 8) in the vascular system (9). In the method, a defined section of a map image (B) around the estimated actual position of the catheter is selected and is displayed superimposed on the current image (A) on a monitor (10). The map image (B) used for this is preferably selected by an electrocardiogram to match the particular cardiac cycle. The position of the catheter relative to the map image (B) is estimated using a distance image (D).
US07822240B2 Image processing device and method for detecting developing lesions
The invention concerns an image processing device, including an input for receiving a time series of data sets representing comparable volume digital images, each data having a position component and an intensity component, pre-processing means for modifying the data sets so as to obtain images updated in position and intensity, and comparative processing means for examining sets of time series of image elements and to detect therein signs of variations. The processing means include a modeling function for adjusting a parametric model separately on some of the sets of time series of image elements, to obtain pairs of data (image element, time) and a function for statistical analysis of said pairs of data to isolate the pairs of data representing a significant variation.
US07822236B2 Low power fingerprint capture system, apparatus, and method
The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power connection to a host PC, e.g., a desk top computer, PDA, or laptop computer although the system can also be used in a wireless fashion with a power subsystem so no physical connections are required. In a preferred embodiment the large format fingerprint device is directly connected to a completely disconnected portable PC, such as a laptop having only a battery power source. The primary system components of the present invention combine to minimize power, size and weight and, thus, enhance portability and battery life. The system typically includes a light source, a prism, a camera (including the lens), and a case. Optional elements comprise holographic elements such as gratings and holographic optical elements (HOEs), a battery subsystem, magnetic stripe reader, barcode reader, platen heater, platen blower, and mirrors to divert the image beam.
US07822235B2 Perfecting the effect of flash within an image acquisition devices using face detection
Within a digital acquisition device with a built in flash unit, the exposure of an acquired digital image is perfected using face detection in the acquired image is provided. Groups of pixels that correspond to plural images of faces are identified within a digitally acquired image, and corresponding image attributes to the group of pixels are determined. An analysis is performed of the corresponding attributes of the groups of pixels. It is then determined to activate the built-in flash unit based on the analysis. An intensity of the built-in flash unit is determined based on the analysis. Alternatively based on similar analysis, a digital simulation of the fill flash is performed on the image.
US07822231B2 Optical flow estimation method
The optical flow in an image is estimated using only parameters extracted directly from a compressed video data stream, substantially eliminating the need to decode the video data stream for this purpose. Coefficients extracted from the compressed video data stream are used to establish a confidence map indicative of the edge strength within the image data and hence the accuracy of the associated motion field. A smooth motion field is generated from the motion vectors inherent in the compressed video data stream. The motion field is then used to update the confidence map between frames, providing an estimate of the optical flow.
US07822227B2 Method and system for tracking images
A method for image tracking includes receiving a plurality of images of a first object at points along a predetermined route at least two spaced apart cameras including a first camera and a second camera, calibrating the cameras based on the received images of the first object and the predetermined route, receiving at least one image of a second object at the calibrated cameras, and determining a position of the second object based on one of the received images of the second object at the first camera. A method of image tracking includes associating at least one object with a unique identifier and receiving a plurality of images of the object moving in a field of view of at least two spaced apart cameras. The method further includes determining a position of the object based on the unique identifier and generating a position information based on the determination.
US07822223B2 Method for identifying marked images using statistical moments based at least in part on a JPEG array
Briefly, embodiments of a method of identifying marked images, in which higher order statistical moments based at least in part on a JPEG array are employed, is described.
US07822222B2 Loudspeaker and method of manufacturing the same
A loudspeaker is provided, which has a configuration in which suspension holder extending in a cylindrical shape widening downward is provided on the rear surface of diaphragm so as to be integrated with diaphragm, and the periphery of suspension holder is coupled to frame via second edge. With such a configuration, adhesion work between the suspension holder and the diaphragm as well as heating and drying work of adhesive are not required, thus enabling the productivity to be considerably improved and production equipment and space to be reduced.
US07822220B2 Earphone assembly
An earphone assembly (100) includes an insulative body (1), an audio plug (5) and an earphone (3). The insulative body (1) includes a main body (11), two side walls (12) located at two sides of the main body (11) and a connecting portion (13) connecting with the main body (11) and the two side walls (12). The main body (11), the side walls (12) and the connecting portion (13) together define a receiving space (10). The audio plug (5) is retained in the bottom of the connecting portion (13). The earphone (3) includes two headphones (31) and two rings (33) respectively connecting with the headphones (31) and the audio plug (5). The side walls (12) respectively form a pair of bulges (14) extending transversely and outwardly. The rings (33) include two resilient sections (331) respectively received in the bulges (14) and capable of elastically moving along the extending direction of the bulges (14) for changing the position of the headphones (31).
US07822216B2 Electroacoustic transducer using diaphragm and method for producing diaphragm
An electroacoustic transducer has an cup chamber and a diaphragm made of deformable electrostrictive polymer, which is attached to an opening of the chamber. The electroacoustic transducer also has first and second adaptive electrode layers formed on a front surface and a rear surface of the diaphragm, across which audio signal voltage biased by a direct-current biased voltage is applied. The first and second adaptive electrode layers have shapes that are adjustable according to a change in a shape of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is formed to make maximum a difference in air pressure of the front surface and the rear surface of the diaphragm, thereby forming any one of concave and convex shapes thereof.
US07822215B2 Bone-conduction hearing-aid transducer having improved frequency response
A hearing-aid device and a method for transmitting sound through bone conduction are disclosed. The hearing-aid device comprises a piezoelectric-type actuator, housing and connector. The piezoelectric actuator is preferably a circular flextensional-type actuator mounted along its peripheral edge in a specifically designed circular structure of the housing. During operation, the bone-conduction transducer is placed against the mastoid area behind the ear of the patient. When the device is energized with an alternating electrical voltage, it flexes back and forth like a circular membrane sustained along its periphery and thus, vibrates as a consequence of the inverse piezoelectric effect. Due to the specific and unique designs proposed, these vibrations are directly transferred through the human skin to the bone structure (the skull) and provide a means for the sound to be transmitted for patients with hearing malfunctions. The housing acts as a holder for the actuators, as a pre-stress application platform, and as a mass which tailors the frequency spectrum of the device. The apparatus exhibits a performance with a very flat response in the frequency spectrum 200 Hz to 10 kHz, which is a greater spectrum range than any other prior art devices disclosed for bone-conduction transduction which are typically limited to less than 4 kHz.
US07822214B1 Audio power output system with shared output blocking capacitor
An audio power output system with shared output blocking capacitor provides reduced cost and volume in multi-channel audio power output systems. A pair of transducers are series-connected in opposite polarity and a common DC blocking capacitor provides the return path to a power supply rail in common with a pair of audio power output stages having output terminals each connected to one of the other terminals of a corresponding transducer. A signal processing block provides a pair of signals to the inputs of the audio power output stages and process the signals to increase the separation of the audio signals at lower frequencies. The frequency-dependent characteristic of the “widening” between the signals reduces the attenuating effect of the shared capacitor and can be matched to the inverse of the narrowing effect. The signal processing block may be an analog network, or digital signal processing algorithm or circuit.
US07822209B2 Methods and systems for key recovery for a token
Methods, systems and computer readable mediums are provided for recovering keys. A key transport session key is generated, and a key encryption key is derived based on a server master key and an identification associated with a token. The key transport session key is encrypted with the key encryption key as a first wrapped key transport session key. An encrypted storage session key and an encrypted private key are retrieved from an archive. The encrypted storage session key is decrypted with a server storage key as a storage session key. The encrypted private key is decrypted with the storage session key. The decrypted private key is encrypted with the key transport session key as a wrapped private key. The wrapped private key and the first wrapped key transport session key are forwarded.
US07822208B2 Process for creating and managing at least one cryptographic key, and system for its implementation
A process for creating and managing pairs of asymmetrical cryptographic keys and/or certificates associated with the pairs of keys, each pair of keys and associated certificates being intended for an object managed by a computer system. The process includes creating an individual request for creating and/or certifying at least one pair of keys for an object of the system that lacks a pair of keys or a certificate for its pair of keys.
US07822199B2 Method and device for performing a cryptographic operation
A method and device for performing a cryptographic operation by a device controlled by a security application executed outside thereof in which a cryptographic value (y) is produced a calculation comprising at least one multiplication between first and second factors containing a security key (s) associated with the device and a challenge number (c) provided by the security application. The first multiplication factor comprises a determined number of bits (L) in a binary representation and the second factor is constrained in such a way that it comprises, in a binary representation, several bits at 1 with a sequence of at least L−1 bits at 0 between each pair of consecutive bits to 1 while the multiplication is carried out by assembling the binary versions of the first factor shifted according to positions of the bits at 1 of the second factor, respectively.
US07822193B2 Estimation method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for producing an estimate of the acoustic response an environment. The method comprises receiving a first signal, and a second signal including a part of the first signal. The first and second signals are combined to produce a third signal. The first signal is combined with itself to produce a fourth signal. A plurality of weighted means of said third signal are computed and summed to produce a plurality of first summations. A plurality of weighted means of said fourth signal are computed and summed to produce a plurality of second summations. Said estimate is generated from said first and second summations.
US07822192B2 Sound event processing with echo analysis
Apparatus, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture enable a telephone system to distinguish between actual events and echoes. Events may include conferees' voice and DTMF commands. In selected embodiments, the system categorizes an event received on one channel as a real event if the energy of the event's waveform is greater than concurrent energy of every other channel of the same conference. Otherwise, the event is stored. When the system receives a new event of the same type on a channel of the same conference during a predetermined period, it compares the energies of the new and stored events. If the energy of the new event exceeds that of the stored event, the new event becomes the stored event, and the old stored event is ignored. At the end of the period, the stored event is categorized as a real event and forwarded to appropriate application code.
US07822178B2 Radiographic imaging system
A radiographic imaging system comprises: offset correction unit for performing offset correction on a radiographic image acquired by a radiation detector using a offset correction data in a storage, dark image acquisition unit for acquiring a dark image with the radiation detector at a given timing in the absence of radiation emitted from a radiation source, residual image judgment unit for judging whether or not dark image acquired by the dark image acquisition unit contains a residual image resulting from an immediately preceding irradiation, offset correction data renewal unit for producing offset correction data based upon the dark image and storing the offset correction data in the storage for renewal when the residual image judgment unit judges the dark image to contain no residual image, and producing no offset correction data when the residual image judgment unit judges the dark image to contain a residual image.
US07822171B2 Cone beam computed tomography with multiple partial scanning trajectories
A computer tomography apparatus (100) for examination of an object of interest (107) comprising an electromagnetic radiation source (104) adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation to an object of interest (107), a detecting device (108) adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source (104) and passed through the object of interest (107), and a motion generation device (101, 119) adapted to move the electromagnetic radiation source (104) and the detecting device (108) with respect to the object of interest (107) along a first trajectory and along a second trajectory which differs from the first trajectory, wherein the second trajectory is selected in such a manner that electromagnetic radiation detected during performing the second trajectory provides data which complete mathematically incomplete data detected during performing the first trajectory to thereby allow a reconstruction of structural information concerning the object of interest (107).
US07822170B2 Method, tomography system and image processing system for displaying tomographic records of a patient
A method and a tomographic system are disclosed for displaying tomographic records of a patient. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning the patient with the aid of a tomographic system having one system axis, determining at least one topogram, calculating three-dimensional image data records including a multiplicity of slice images on a plane or volume data records, and outputting at least one slice image of the patient. In at least one embodiment, the orientation of individual body zones relative to the system axis of the tomographic system is automatically determined from the at least one topogram, and slice images of the body zones are calculated from the three-dimensional image data records, the slice planes of which are at a defined solid angle to the previously determined orientation of the scanned body zones.
US07822168B2 Frequency divider circuit
Disclosed is a frequency divider including first to fifth FFs(flip-flops), each of which receives a common clock signal and samples and outputs an input signal responsive to an effective edge of the clock, an output signal of the 1st FF being supplied to the 2nd FF, a first logic gate which receives an output signal of the 2nd FF and a first control signal and outputs the output signal of the 2nd FF, when the first control signal is of a first value, and outputs a predetermined value, when the first control signal is of a second value, the output signal of the first logic gate being supplied to an input of the 3rd FF; a second logic gate which receives an output signal of the 1st FF and a second control signal and outputs an output signal of the 1st FF, when the second control signal is of the first value and outputs the predetermined value, when the second control signal is of the second value, the output signal of the second logic gate being supplied to the 4th FF; and a third logic gate which receives an output signal of the 3rd FF and an output signal of the 4th FF and outputs an output signal of a first value, when both inputs thereof are of a second value, the output signal of the third logic gate being supplied to an input of the 5th FF, an output signal of the 5th FF being fed back to an input of the 1st FF.
US07822160B1 Digitally-assisted power reduction technique for IQ pipeline ADCs used in wireless receivers
A device comprises a first circuit that generates a first phase component and a second phase component. A pipelined analog to digital converter comprises N stages, wherein N is an integer greater than one. At least one of the N stages includes a sample and integrate circuit that selectively samples the first phase component and integrates a sampled second phase component to generate an integrated second phase component during one portion of a first clock phase of the sample and integrate circuit, and that selectively integrates the sampled first phase component to generate an integrated first phase component and samples the second phase component to generate the sampled second phase component during another portion of the first clock phase of the sample and integrate circuit.
US07822159B2 Master side communication apparatus and slave side communication apparatus
A master side communication apparatus and a slave side communication apparatus wherein the structure of a receiving part of the slave side communication apparatus is simplified to achieve a reduced size, a reduced power consumption and a reduced cost. The master side communication apparatus performs a communication in synchronism with the slave side communication apparatus having no synchronization timing adjusting function. A transport signal generating timing adjusting part of the master side communication apparatus acquires, from the slave side communication apparatus, synchronization signal generation timing information used when the slave side communication apparatus receives the transport signal from the master side communication apparatus. The transport signal generating timing adjusting part varies and adjusts, based on the acquired information, the transmission timing of the signal to be transmitted to the slave side communication apparatus. A transmitting part transmits the transport signal at the adjust transmission timing. The occurrence timing of the transport signal is varied and adjusted until the slave side communication apparatus becomes able to receive the transport signal from the master side communication apparatus.
US07822158B2 Clock data recovery circuit capable of generating clock signal synchronized with data signal
A phase comparison circuit detects a phase difference between a data signal and the output from a variable delay circuit. A Code Operator detects a value of a control code corresponding to a delay equal to one period of an output clock. Then, when a delay amount of the variable delay circuit exceeds one period of a clock during synchronization of the output clock with the data signal while the control code is changed in accordance with the detection result by the phase delay circuit, a control code corresponding to a delay equal to one period of the output clock is added or subtracted to/from the control code at a time. Therefore, even if there is a difference in frequency between a data signal and a clock, it becomes possible to synchronize the data signal and the clock with application of the same clock phase.
US07822151B2 Reception device
It is possible to demodulate a plurality of modulated signals transmitted from a plurality of antennas by using a comparatively small-size circuit with a preferable error ratio characteristic. Partial bit judgment units (509, 512) demodulates partial bits of the 64 QAM-modulated signal by modifying which of the bits in the 6-bit strings constituting a symbol is to be demodulated depending on in which region of the IQ plane the reception signal point exists. This improves the partial bit error characteristic judged by the partial bit judgment units (509, 512), which in turn improves reliability of the reduced candidate signal point for use by a likelihood detection unit (518). As a result, it is possible to improve the error ratio characteristic of the final reception digital signals (322, 323).
US07822142B2 Method and device for cancelling interference in wireless communication system
The present invention provides a transmitter having multiple transmitting antennas, comprising: SM/STC apparatus for performing spatial multiplexing or space-time coding diversity on data and for causing resulting signals to be transmitted parallel by multiple transmitting antennas; and a controller for controlling the SM/STC apparatus to operate in SM mode or STC diversity mode in accordance with a signal indicating the operating area which a receiver is located in. The present invention further a corresponding receiver, a base station device and user equipment each comprising the transmitter and receiver of the present invention, and a corresponding method of interference cancellation. The present invention can obtain both diversity gain and interference cancellation gain by performing interference cancellation at the receiver side when interference from other transmitters dominates in the channel. Therefore, the present invention can improve the system capacity and coverage without increasing the base station complexity or decreasing the spectrum usage efficiency at the cell edge.
US07822141B2 Multiple input, multiple output communications systems
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for optimizing the transmitter and receiver weights of a MIMO system. In one embodiment, the weights are optimized to create and steer beam nulls, such that each transmitted signal is substantially decoupled from all other signals between a MIMO transmitter a MIMO receiver. In another embodiment, the weights are selected such that, the signal strength of each weighted signal transmitted through a communications channel along a respective signal path is substantially equivalent, but for which the weighting vectors are not necessarily orthogonal. In a further embodiment, each transmitted signal is coupled only between its own transmitter and receiver antennas with a gain, or eigenvalue, that is a consequence of the weights, and which is bounded to within a desired range of values while at the same time the weighing vectors are orthogonal. Embodiments employing various decomposition techniques are also provided.
US07822132B2 OFDM communication system
N sub-carriers are grouped in units of predetermined quantities in order beginning with the one exhibiting the highest communication channel quality to generate an optimal group pattern on the reception side. Then, communication channel information is calculated for each of sub-carrier groups in the optimal group pattern or a quasi-optimal group pattern which is assumed to be closest to the optimal group pattern among a plurality of previously set group pattern candidates. Communication channel information is designated as modified communication channel information. Grouping information indicative of the optimal group pattern or quasi-optimal group pattern is combined with modified communication channel information to generate feedback information. On the transmission side, sub-carriers are grouped based on reproduced feedback information reproduced from the feedback information.
US07822129B2 Constructive method of peak power reduction in multicarrier transmission
A plurality of bits is transmitted by partitioning the bits among n subsets; encoding each subset as a respective symbol; selecting a balancing vector, in accordance with the symbols, from a set of size 2p of codewords of length n in {−1,1}; multiplying each symbol by a corresponding element of the balancing vector; and transmitting the symbols substantially simultaneously. Preferably, the set of codewords has a strength of at most about 2 ln └n┘. The balancing vector is selected either deterministically or probabilistically.
US07822128B2 Multiple antenna multicarrier transmitter and method for adaptive beamforming with transmit-power normalization
In a multi-antenna, multicarrier transmitter, a multicarrier communication signal is generated by normalizing beamforming matrices based on an average subcarrier power loading for each of the transmit antennas. One or more spatial streams may be transmitted by two or more antennas.
US07822127B1 Method and apparatus for minimizing signal loss in transit
Techniques for minimizing signal loss in transit are described. Data signals lose their strengths while traveling across conductive passages such as cooper wire, cooper strip, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), etc. There are two major factors that affect the signal loss: the distance and the speed. To minimize signal loss while maintaining higher rate data signals for I/O, substantially lower rate data signals are used in transit between two interfaces over a signal path.
US07822119B2 Image encoding apparatus, image encoding method, image encoding program, image decoding apparatus, image decoding method, and image decoding program
The image encoding apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a coding mode determination unit, a prediction image generation unit, a storage unit, and an encoding unit. The coding mode determination unit determines a coding mode relating to which of the first image prediction processing or second image prediction processing is used for generating prediction image of a partial area of input images. The prediction image generation unit extracts the prediction assist information by the first image prediction processing and generates a prediction image based on the prediction assist information. The storage unit stores the reproduced image that is based on the prediction image. The encoding unit generates a bit stream comprising data obtained by encoding the coding mode information and prediction assist information.
US07822113B2 Integrated decision feedback equalizer and clock and data recovery
In an integrated decision feedback equalizer and clock and data recovery circuit one or more flip-flops and/or latches may be shared. One or more flip-flops and/or latches may be used in retiming operations in a decision feedback equalizer and in phase detection operations in a clock recovery circuit. Outputs of the flip-flops and/or latches may be used to generate feedback signals for the decision feedback equalizer. The output of a flip-flop and/or latches may be used to generate signals that drive a charge pump in the clock recovery circuit.
US07822107B2 Spread spectrum receiver and channel compensation method thereof
A spread spectrum receiver in a communication system compensating channel response, and the method thereof is disclosed. The spread spectrum receiver comprises a multiplier, a filter, a data channel correlator, a delay, and a channel compensator. The multiplier (322) multiplies despread pilots (320) with conjugate of pilot pattern (324) to provide channel estimates. The filter (323) filters the channel estimates from the multiplier (322). The data channel correlator (30) despreads data symbols in a data channel. The delay module (38), coupled to the data channel correlator (30), delays the despread data symbols for a period. The channel compensator (34), coupled to the filter (323) and the delay module (38), compensates the delayed despread data symbols with the filtered channel estimates.
US07822103B2 Fast joint detection base station
A code division multiple access base station receives K data signals over a shared spectrum. The base station receives and samples a combined signal having the K transmitted data signals. A combined channel response matrix is produced. A block column of a cross correlation matrix is determined using the combined channel response matrix. Each block entry of the block column is a K by K matrix. A fourier transform of a complex conjugate transpose of the combined channel response matrix multiplied to the combined signal samples is taken. An inverse of a fourier transform of each block entry is multiplied to a result of the fourier transform to produce a fourier transform of the data vector. An inverse fourier transform of the data vector fourier transform is taken to produce data of the K signals.
US07822101B2 Method and apparatus for interference suppression in a wireless communication receiver
According to methods and apparatus taught herein, a parametric model of received signal impairment correlations includes a parametric model term that accounts for a dominant receiver but does not result in any significant increase in parametric modeling complexity. In more detail, the parametric model models the dominant interferer as a spatial interferer, which is hypothesized as a point source of interference emanating along single-path channels to each of two or more receiver antennas. The dominant interferer thus is represented in terms of its spatial correlation across receiver antennas. The dominant interferer model term may be included in an overall model fitting process, or it may be fitted separately. Regardless, the spatial modeling approach taught herein may be used for WCDMA and other systems, and may be embodied in essentially any type of linear equalizer receiver structure.
US07822087B2 Semiconductor laser device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor laser device capable of improving planarity of cleavage planes of an optical waveguide thereof is obtained. This semiconductor laser device includes a support substrate, a semiconductor laser element portion having a pair of cavity facets provided with ends of an optical waveguide extending in a first direction and a bonding layer bonding the support substrate and the semiconductor laser element portion to each other, while the bonding layer has void portions formed on regions close to at least the ends of the optical waveguide in the vicinity of the cavity facets.
US07822086B2 Laser projection temperature compensation
The temperature of a laser diode changes in response to video content across a line of a displayed image, and the radiance changes as a function of temperature. An adaptive model estimates the temperature of the laser diode based on prior drive current values. For each displayed pixel, diode drive current is determined from the estimated diode temperature and a desired radiance value. A feedback circuit periodically measures the actual temperature and updates the adaptive model.
US07822084B2 Method and apparatus for stabilizing and tuning the bandwidth of laser light
According to aspects of an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, method and apparatus are disclose that may comprise adjusting a differential timing between gas discharges in the seed laser and amplifier laser for bandwidth control, based on the error signal, or for control of another laser operating parameter other than bandwidth, without utilizing any beam magnification control, or adjusting a differential timing between gas discharges in the seed laser and amplifier laser for bandwidth control, based on the error signal, or for control of another laser operating parameter other than bandwidth, while utilizing beam magnification control for other than bandwidth control, and adjusting a differential timing between gas discharges in the seed laser and amplifier laser for bandwidth control, based on the error signal, or for control of another laser operating parameter other than bandwidth, while utilizing beam magnification control for bandwidth control based on the error signal.
US07822081B2 Resonator
This invention relates to a wavelength tunable light source, comprising a main resonator, having a first and a second mirrored end, defining an effective cavity length, i.e. an optical beam path length of a resonant mode of the cavity, an optical gain element, having a first and a second opposing end surface, said second surface being positioned within said main resonator, a mirror element constituting said second mirrored end, and a dispersive focusing resonator element, being positioned along a beam path between said second end surface and said mirror element, whereby said effective cavity length of said main resonator is arranged to be varied.
US07822080B2 High power pulsed fiber laser
A high power fiber laser includes a pump source optically coupled to a first fiber laser, which is in turn optically coupled to a second fiber laser. The pump source is adapted to generate light, which is received by the first fiber laser and used to generate a first pulsed output. The first pulsed output is directed into the second fiber laser and is used to generate a second pulsed output. The first fiber laser includes a multi-mode fiber, while the second fiber laser includes a single mode fiber.
US07822075B2 Method and system of signal transmission in base transceiver station based on remote radio head
The invention relates to a method of signal transmission between a host BTS and Remote Radio Unit(s), and the BTS communication system thereof. The transmission channel between the host BTS and the Remote Radio Unit(s) uses wideband transmission links or a network, the method includes the following steps of: performing the transmission over the transmission channel using a Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)/Optical Transmission Network (OTN), forming a digital wireless signal data stream and an in-band control signaling stream transmitted over the transmission channel into a Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) frame which is further mapped to a STM-N/OTM-n frame, thereby multiplexing the digital wireless signal data stream and the in-band control signaling stream to realize SDH/OTN-based transmission. As a result, the wireless signal can be effectively transmitted between the RRH and the host BTS without specific transmission network, and the management and maintenance operation required by the signal transmission and the networking cost can be reduced.
US07822074B2 Synchronization between uncoordinated time division duplex communication networks
An apparatus and method for synchronization between uncoordinated Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication networks includes a first step (300) of measuring an interference level on channels available to a base station. A next step (302) includes choosing the channel having the lowest interference level. A next step (304) includes determining that the interference is from a base station. A next step (306) includes calculating an interference profile over the frame cycle. A next step (308) includes establishing a peak interference level. A next step (310) includes aligning the base station frame timing in response to the peak interference level.
US07822072B2 Clock filter dispersion
Disclosed are a method and system to estimate the maximum error in the clock offset and skew estimation between two clocks in a computer system. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a first set of data values representing a forward delay between the first and second clocks, and obtaining a second set of data values representing a negative backward delay between the first and second clocks. The method comprises the further step of forming a lower convex hull for said first set of data values, and forming an upper convex hull for said second set of data values. First and second parallel lines are formed between the upper and lower convex hulls, and these parallel lines are used to estimate the worst case error for the offset, skew rate and dispersion of said first and second clocks.
US07822067B2 Header compression enhancement for broadcast/multicast services
Methods and apparatus for compression of headers in broadcasting BCMCS services in a wireless communication system are described. Techniques used in BCMCS systems without feedback include sending static context information during BCMCS service initialization for use in a decompressor in a mobile station. Techniques used in BCMCS systems with feedback include receiving feedback from distributed mobile station decompressors and adjusting the broadcasting compressor in response to the feedback. Techniques that reduce the number of operating states in both the compressor and the decompressor are described. Techniques to classify flows so that a reduced number of contexts are used to compress/decompress session packet headers in a push-to-talk service are described.
US07822062B2 Network management using dynamic recovery and transitioning
Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods to receive a command associated with the network management system, define a work flow based on the command, and execute the work flow on a network element. During execution of the work flow, a network management system determines whether a recovery is necessary and performs a recovery based on a determination that a recovery is necessary.
US07822051B1 Method and system for transmitting packets
A switch including: (i) a processor, adapted to dequeue a multicasting descriptor from a multicasting link-list in response to: (a) a requested number of duplications; (b) a duplications counter; and (c) a rejected duplications counter; and (ii) a memory unit, connected to the processor, adapted to maintain the multicasting link-list.
US07822041B2 Method and apparatus for scheduling packet data transmissions in a wireless communication system
A method (18) for scheduling packet data transmissions in a wireless communication system wherein a per-user Priority Function (PF) (24) is based on a channel condition indicated by a Rate Request Indicator (RRI). The method also considers fairness criteria dictated by predetermined Quality of Service (QOS) requirements. In one embodiment, the rate request indicator is a Data Rate Request (DRR). In another embodiment, the rate request indicator is Carrier-to-Interference (C/I) information. In the exemplary embodiment, the base station calculates a Priority Function (PF) for the multiple mobile users. Each PF is a function of the rate request indicator and the projected throughput of a given mobile user. The PF values allow the base station to schedule active mobile units having pending data. The scheduling produces an approximately equal share of the allocated transmission time to the multiple mobile stations.
US07822038B2 Packet processing system architecture and method
A packet processing system architecture and method are provided. According to a first aspect of the invention, a plurality of quality of service indicators are provided for a packet, each with an assigned priority, and a configurable priority resolution scheme is utilized to select one of the quality of service indicators for assigning to the packet. According to a second aspect of the invention, wide data paths are utilized in selected areas of the system, while avoiding universal utilization of the wide data paths in the system. According to a third aspect of the invention, one or more stacks are utilized to facilitate packet processing. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a packet size determiner is allocated to a packet from a pool of packet size determiners, and is returned to the pool upon or after determining the size of the packet. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a packet is buffered upon or after ingress thereof to the system, and a packet for egress from the system assembled from new or modified packet data and unmodified packet data as retrieved directly from the buffer. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, a system for preventing re-ordering of packets in a packet processing system is provided. A seventh aspect of the invention involves any combination of one or more of the foregoing.
US07822034B2 Path controls apparatus and table updating method
A receiving unit receives a frame from any one of a plurality of ports. When it is determined that there is no entry to which a correspondence relation for a transmission-source address of the received frame can be registered in a management table, a selecting unit detects an indicator bit located at an oldest generation in a bit string obtained by rearranging generation-management bit strings of all entries of the management table, and selects an entry corresponding to the detected indicator bit as an overwriting target entry. An updating unit registers the correspondence relation to the selected overwriting target entry.
US07822031B2 Multicast implementation in a link state protocol controlled ethernet network
Forwarding state may be installed for sparse multicast trees in a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network by enabling intermediate nodes to install state for one or more physical multicast trees, each of which may have multiple logical multicast trees mapped to it. By mapping multiple logical multicasts to a particular physical multicast, and installing state for the physical multicast, fewer FIB entries are required to implement the multiple multicasts to reduce the amount of forwarding state in forwarding tables at the intermediate nodes. Mapping may be performed by destination nodes before advertising membership in the physical multicast, or may be performed by the intermediate nodes before installing state when a destination node advertises membership in a logical multicast. Intermediate nodes will install state for the physical multicast tree if they are on a shortest path between a source and at least one destination of one of the logical multicasts that has been mapped to the physical multicast.
US07822030B2 Techniques for introducing in-band network management packets in multi-protocol label switching networks
A system and method for introducing in-band network management packets (INMPs) in a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. MPLS is an emerging technology, which integrates Internet Protocol (IP) routing with label switching techniques. MPLS intends to provide new capabilities in the area of traffic engineering for IP networks. These traffic engineering capabilities will have to be combined with a set of complementary operation, administration and maintenance (OA&M) functions for effectively managing and operating MPLS-based networks. This invention uses INMPs for carrying OA&M information to label switching routers (LSRs) for effectively managing and operating MPLS-based networks. This invention also includes techniques for distinguishing INMPs from user packets in an MPLS network. This invention further includes using a predetermined code in a shim header of an MPLS packet to determine whether an MPLS packet is an INMP or a user packet. The predetermined code may be provided in an experimental field or a time-to-live field in the shim header of the packet. Alternatively, a label may be reserved for distinguishing an INMP from a user packet.
US07822029B2 Method for routing packets in ad-hoc networks with partial channel state information
A method routs a packet from a source node, via relay nodes, to a destination node. The nodes are connected by wireless links x. A channel power gain γ is measured for each link x. Resource trade-off curves y=f(x) are constructed for each link x from the channel power gains γ, wherein y represents a set of resources. A hyperbolic upper bound h/x+c is fitted to each resource curve, such that h/x+c≧f(x), wherein h is a scale factor, and c is an offset. A route with an optimal resource allocation is selected according to the hyperbolic upper bounds. Then, the packet is transmitted from the source node to the destination node using the route.
US07822022B2 Multi-rate, multi-protocol, multi-port line interface for a multiservice switching platform
Methods and apparatus for enabling a line card to support multiple ports, multiple rates, and multiple protocols within an optical network system are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a line card that is suitable for incorporation into one of a multi-slot broadband digital cross-connect system or a multiservice provisioning platform includes a first port and a plurality of devices. The first port is arranged to be provisioned to accept an input signal which may be one of a signal of a first protocol and a signal of a second protocol. The plurality of devices being arranged to process the input signal to create an output signal which has a SONET payload. In one embodiment, the signal of the first protocol is an OC-n signal and the signal of the second protocol is a Gigabit Ethernet signal.
US07822018B2 Duplicate media stream
Included are embodiments of a method for recording in an Internet Protocol (IP) environment. At least one embodiment includes receiving data related to a communication, generating a copied version of at least a portion of the received data, and modifying the copied version of the received data. Other embodiments include sending at least a portion of the modified copied version of the received data to a recording device.
US07822009B2 Distributed medium access protocol for wireless mesh networks
A system for data communication in a wireless mesh network that comprises a wired gateway, and a plurality of nodes stationary with respect to each other being disposed in a pattern including at least one path, each of the plurality of nodes located in the at least one path having a transmission range overlapped with that of an immediate adjacent node located in the at least one path, further comprising a node connected to the wired gateway, and an end node located at one end of the at least one path remote from the gateway-connected node, wherein each of a subset of the plurality of nodes, wherein said subset excludes the gateway connected node and the end node, operates in one of a first state in which a first node of the subset is ready to transmit a data frame, a second state at which a second node in the subset is prohibited from transmitting or receiving a data frame and a third state at which a third node in the subset is ready to receive a data frame.
US07822001B2 Addressing and routing in wireless mesh networks
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forwarding and/or addressing a packet in a wireless network, wherein an address information of a protocol layer lower than a network layer is added to the packet, which address information indicates the geographical location of a destination node and which can be changed during forwarding of the packet through said wireless network. The packet is then forwarded within the wireless network based on a difference between the geographical location of a present node and the destination node. This location based addressing makes packet forwarding easier in dynamic mesh networks, because each node (10) can decide into which direction to forward incoming packets based only on the information in the packet header and its own location.
US07821998B2 Equalizing apparatus, methods and computer program products that generate error compensation values of an equalizer
An equalizing apparatus for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless communication receiving system includes a channel estimation block, a first equalizer, and an error compensation block. The channel estimation block performs channel estimation by extracting a pilot signal from a signal supplied to the first equalizer. The first equalizer performs first channel equalization based on the channel estimation from the channel estimation block. The error compensation block outputs an error compensation value of the first equalizer, based on data signals from the first equalizer. The error compensation value may be used by the first equalizer and/or a second equalizer. Related methods and computer program products are also described.
US07821996B2 Mobility enhancement for real time service over high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA)
A system and method for enhancing service over a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) service in a cellular communication network includes informing a UE of the cells in an HSDPA active subset of cells. The US makes a measurement of the cells and selects a best cell for switching. The UE determines whether the best cell is an intra-node B cell or inter-node B cell with the serving cell from the network. If the best cell is an intra-node B cell, the UE signals the node B of the best cell, the node B switches to the best cell directly and UE receives the data from the target cell directly, and then Node B reports the switch to a radio network controller (RNC) that completes the final switching to the best cell by the RNC. If the best cell is an inter-node B cell, the UE signals the RNC of the best cell directly, whereupon the RNC sends the UE an acknowledgment without waiting for the completeness of the network configurations. The RNC re-routes data to the best cell, and the UE switches to the best cell after receiving the acknowledgment.
US07821994B2 Supporting mobile Ad-Hoc network (MANET) and point to multi-point (PMP) communications among nodes in a wireless network
Member nodes of a wireless point-to-multipoint (PMP) network may participate in mobile ad hoc (MANET) or mesh communications with other nodes on the same channels used by the network for PMP communications. A PMP network base station node transmits a downlink signal defining a downlink map for scheduling first time periods for transmitting messages to subscriber station nodes, and an uplink map for scheduling second time periods allowing a subscriber station node to transmit messages to the base station node in a scheduled second time period. A MANET/mesh zone is allocated in either or both the downlink and the uplink maps, each zone operating to reserve one or more time slots and channels in which the base station and other nodes may communicate using a MANET/mesh protocol, thus avoiding interference with communications that are being conducted between the base and the subscriber station nodes under the PMP protocol.
US07821993B2 Wireless network device and resource allotting method for the same
A method and apparatus for a wireless network to maintain a QOS is provided. The apparatus includes a resource calculating unit which calculates resources needed to transmit packets if a transmission rate of a network changes, a comparing unit which compares the calculated resources and resources allotted by an access point of the network; and a control unit which determines whether to request additional resources by using a result of the comparison by the comparing unit.
US07821991B2 Radio transmission device, and radio transmission method
Provided are a radio transmission device and a radio transmission method, which prevent the deterioration of a preamble detecting performance while reducing the collision probability of a RACH. In this radio transmission device, a Signature table storage unit (103) divides the magnitudes of transmission loss levels into individual levels corresponding to the distances from a base station, to cause CAZAC series and circulation shift quantities to correspond to each other at the individual levels, and is provided with a table containing a plurality of Signatures created from the CAZAC series and the circulation shift quantities caused to correspond to each other. A Signature selecting unit (104) selects one of the corresponding Signatures at random from the Signature table storage unit (103), on the basis of the magnitude of the transmission loss level outputted from a transmission loss level deciding unit (102). A RACH signal generating unit (105) generates the RACH signal with the Signature selected.
US07821989B2 Call management method, call management system and message processing server system
A call management method makes a call management system perform a process of releasing resources that are secured for a terminal device that has become a communication disable state among resources in the call management system that are secured for each of the terminal devices under speech communication (#103 and #108), and sending a message for finishing speech communication to a terminal device on the other end of the speech communication without transmitting it to the terminal device that has become a communication disable state (#112), when it is detected that one of the terminal devices under speech communication with each other has become a communication disable state in a mobile communication network (#102).
US07821988B1 Use of local wireless energy level as dispatch session control mechanism
A dispatch client device that also has a local wireless transceiver will monitor the energy level on the local transceiver side and use the energy level as a basis to function as a floor control client on a dispatch side. For example, upon receipt of a dispatch-session invitation from a dispatch server, the client may accept the invitation only if the energy level is low enough (indicating that no one is currently talking on the local side) and may then bridge the dispatch communications with the local communications, and otherwise the client may reject the invitation. As another example, if the device detects sufficient energy on the local side (indicating someone on the local side has begun talking), the device may responsively request the floor on the dispatch side and then bridge the local communications with the dispatch communications. The device may apply a standard non-squelch circuit for energy detection.
US07821985B2 Network interface routing using computational context
Knowledge of the computational context of a computer operating environment, for example, awareness of process threads, is used to route IP traffic in the presence of multiple active network connections. An additional protocol may be added to the network layer of an operating system in order to map certain computational contexts to particular network interfaces. Any process with identification parameters associated with a mapped computational context requesting data transfer via a communication network is bound to the network interface previously associated with the computational context rather than an alternate network interface that otherwise might be the default. Further, process threads created by a parent process thread may be caused to inherit the computational context of the parent thread in order to assign traffic to the same network interface. This routing framework may have particular application with respect to multihomed host devices, for example, mobile computing devices.
US07821984B2 Satellite distributed high speed internet access
A satellite distributed high-speed Internet “Hotspot” enables wireless and hardwired, satellite distributed Internet access aboard a transit vehicle such as a train for anyone with a PC or other web-ready device (wireless ready or cabled) and a valid credit card or prepaid coupon. Internet access is obtained via a ground-based satellite dish, which is operatively coupled to a wireless access point located along the transit route such as a railroad track. The wireless access point is in communication with a wireless transceiver unit located on the transit vehicle, and the Internet signal is distributed to users on the transit vehicle via a router using wired or wireless connections. A plurality of wireless access points can be located along the transit route, thereby allowing the transit vehicle to maintain the Internet connection while traveling along the transit route.
US07821981B2 Satellite switch communication over a network
A method for interconnecting a satellite switch and a virtual switch for communication over a network includes transmitting a multicast packet containing a satellite identifier over the network and receiving a response multicast packet containing the satellite identifier, a satellite index associated with the satellite switch, and a virtual switch index associated with the virtual switch transmitting the response packet. The virtual switch index is mapped into a destination address and the destination address is inserted into a satellite packet. The satellite packet is then transmitted over the network to the virtual switch.
US07821980B2 Variable rate soft information forwarding
A method including transmitting a binary vector from a source node to a relay node and receiving a signal vector at the relay node. The method also includes compressing the signal at the relay node by multiplying the signal with a matrix using probabilities and converting output probabilities from the multiplying into retransmission signal amplitudes, the signal amplitude depending not only on a probability of a bit but on a transmission power constraint at the relay node. The method also includes transmitting, by the relay node, estimates of information from the source node to a destination node.
US07821979B2 Communicating control messages for point-to-multipoint service in wireless communication system
A method for controlling a user equipment (UE) capable of receiving a point-to-multipoint service in a wireless communication system comprises subscribing to the point-to-multipoint service. The method also comprises receiving modified point-to-multipoint control information during a certain period from the network, wherein point-to-multipoint control information is separated into at least modified point-to-multipoint control information and unmodified point-to-multipoint control information in a network. The method also comprises determining whether the modified point-to-multipoint control information comprises information associated with the point-to-multipoint service to enable reception of the point-to-multipoint service.
US07821973B2 Sharing of host bus adapter context
A system comprises a first host bus adapter (HBA) that uses a first context to facilitate the transmission of packets through a logical connection through the first HBA. The system also comprises a second HBA and memory in which the first context is stored. The memory is accessible by both of the first and second HBAs. Upon receiving a packet associated with the logical connection, the second HBA accesses the memory to use the first context to process the packet in accordance with the first context.
US07821972B1 System and method for building large-scale layer 2 computer networks
A grand computer network is formed from layer 2 (L2) networking technology in which groups of Provider L2 bridges are organized into formations, and different formations are interconnected via network-network interface (NNI) links. Customer sites are coupled to the formations. Customers identify their traffic, e.g., frames, by labeling or tagging it with a Customer Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier (C-VLAN ID) or Customer Service Instance (CSI). Within the formations, the C-VLAN ID is mapped to a Service VLAN ID (S-VLAN ID) or Provider Service Instance (PSI), and the S-VLAN ID is appended to the customer traffic. The PSIs are hierarchical, such that each PSI belongs to at most one other “outer” or higher-level PSI, but may itself own any number of “inner” or lower-level PSIs. As a given frame traverses through the different formations of the Grand Network via the NNI links, the frame acquires an encapsulation, sheds an encapsulation or exchanges its current encapsulation for a different one. Bridges within the formations run a Hierarchical Spanning Tree Program (HSTP) to block intra-formation loops, and a GARP L2-NNI Registration Protocol (GLRP) to block inter-formation loops.
US07821971B2 Protection providing method and customer edge apparatus
The present invention provides a protection providing method in a network configuration having a customer edge apparatus redundantly connected to a first provider edge apparatus and a second provider edge apparatus for setting a primary provider edge apparatus and a secondary provider edge apparatus with the customer edge apparatus. The first provider edge apparatus transmits a first signaling message received when establishing a pseudowire to the customer edge apparatus. The second provider edge apparatus also transmits a second signaling message received when establishing a pseudowire to the customer edge apparatus. The customer edge apparatus compares the first and second signaling messages and sets the primary provider edge apparatus and the secondary provider edge apparatus.
US07821970B2 Protection of transit links in a network
A router identifies transit links and non-transit links. Only the non-transit links are advertised as routes to adjacent routers, thereby protecting the transit links from edge traffic which terminates on a network on one of the transit links. In another aspect of the invention, an administrative whitelist supplements the routes which identify the transit link network routes. In another aspect of the invention, a method for advertising routes identifies entries in a router table as broadcast or point-to-point. Only the router table entries for point-to-point links which are not transit or broadcast links that are not for a neighboring router are advertised, whereas the point-to-point transit links or broadcast transit links are advertised as transit links if an administrative whitelist is enabled.
US07821966B2 Method and apparatus for network topology discovery using closure approach
Improved network topology discovery techniques. For example, an automated method for discovering a topology of a network, having a plurality of nodes, includes the following steps. A first traceroute process is performed for a given source node and one or more destination nodes listed in a target list so as to discover one or more paths through one or more intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more destination nodes. The one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process are added to the target list. A second traceroute process is performed for the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process so as to discover one or more paths through one or more additional intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process.
US07821964B2 Methods and systems for network coordination
Aspects of the present invention relate to distributed network coordination and administration. Some aspects relate to network coordination and management using an interfering network list that may be maintained by a network controlling authority. Some aspects relate to allocation of specific bandwidth segments by a network controlling authority to avoid network collisions and improve network efficiency.
US07821962B2 Memory access optimization
A method and an apparatus for memory access optimization are disclosed. Data unit information may be accumulated for a plurality of data units. Partial network statistics for the plurality of data units may be read sequentially in round robin fashion from each of a plurality of memory banks of a memory. The partial networks statistics may be updated based on the plurality of data units. The updated partial network statistics may be written sequentially in round robin fashion to each of the plurality of memory banks.
US07821958B2 Method for estimating and monitoring timing errors in packet data networks
A system and method is provided for estimating the T1 timing error and clock recovery errors by processing timing information from the associated pseudowire packet stream(s) from which the T1 is derived. The timing errors are presented as MTIE measurements which are used to present alarms for a Network Operation Control centre and are used to accurately alarm error conditions where the regenerated or derived T1 signal does not meet MTIE or clock accuracy errors. This alarm is intended to detect conditions of excessive packet jitter, wander or phase transients which may exist in the data network over which the pseudowire stream is transported. In another aspect, the errors are used to control the regeneration of the T1 clock information.
US07821957B2 Acknowledgment of media waveforms between telecommunications endpoints
An apparatus and method are disclosed that enable a first telecommunications endpoint to ensure that a second endpoint is receiving the first endpoint's packet stream transmissions with a satisfactory waveform quality. When the second endpoint receives the packet stream, it decodes the media waveform from the stream, encodes the waveform back into a second packet stream, and transmits some or all of the packets in the second stream back to the first endpoint. The first endpoint then decodes the received waveform in the second stream and compares it to the original waveform transmitted to the second endpoint. Based on the comparison, the first endpoint adjusts the value of a quality indication, and provides the quality indication to its user and to the second endpoint. Advantageously, the user at the second endpoint is able to determine whether the received waveform is, in fact, close enough to the waveform that the first endpoint's user intended to be received and understood.
US07821955B2 Universal Plug-and-Play latency and delay compensation
A Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP) device (200) determines a latency and propagation delay period (LPDP) that is added to a UPnP network (100) response time, based on UPnP network (100) conditions. The UPnP device (200) transmits a search command when connecting to the UPnP network (100), and waits a period of time based on the LPDP for a response to the search command from other UPnP devices (113) in the UPnP network (100) before the UPnP device (200) stops listening for other UPnP devices (113).
US07821954B2 Methods to compensate for noise in a wireless communication system
A number of features for enhancing the performance of a communication system, in which data is transmitted between a base station and a plurality of subscriber stations located different distances from the base station, are presented. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the subscriber stations are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the subscriber stations in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the subscriber stations robust. The uplink data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the subscriber stations.
US07821952B2 Loop locating apparatus and loop locating method in layer 3 network
A loop locating apparatus and method enabling simple and fast identification of a Layer 3 loop fault occurring in a network, wherein, when the possibility of a Layer 3 loop is detected, a loop locating command function unit makes a packet transmission/reception function unit send a series of inspection packets (Pis) with successively incremented TTLs and monitors the return packets (te) of the inspection packets (Pis) by a return number counting function unit and wherein a loop location decision function unit finds the routers returning packets (te) with remarkably larger return numbers than the others and identifies the routers with return numbers over a predetermined threshold as the location of occurrence of the loop.
US07821950B2 Evaluation apparatus of hub unit and evaluating method of hub unit
In an evaluation apparatus of a hub unit, a signal processing unit outputs frequency analysis signals which indicate such a result obtained by that an output signal of an acceleration sensor fixed on a hub unit by a magnet is processed via an A/D converting unit and an envelope detecting unit, and thereafter, the processed sensor signal is analyzed for a frequency analysis by an FFT unit. Then, an evaluation output unit evaluates damage conditions of the hub unit based upon signal strengths of specific frequencies, and overall values, which are acquired from the frequency analysis signals, and then, outputs the evaluated damage condition to a display unit.
US07821929B2 System and method for controlling communication flow rates
A system and method are provided for providing access communications between customer locations and a core network service edge. Access flows are handled as carrier-tagged flows through a packet switched network comprising network elements that interpret and manipulate carrier tag values associated with traffic-bearing data frames. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a discard eligibility indication may be provided with the data frames.
US07821928B2 Method for multiplexing different bit rate sources
This invention relates to the multiplexing of multiple sources in a multiplexer. A special arrangement is used for calculating an efficient peak capacity value that guarantees good performance for an outgoing link. The invention uses a method with two phases. The first phase precalculates the capacity of the outgoing link with different numbers of incoming links having equal packet size, and forms a table from the results of the precalculation. In the second phase, the peak capacity needed for the outgoing link is calculated using the precalculated tables.
US07821924B2 Method and apparatus for timeout reduction and improved wireless network performance by delay injection
A technique for avoiding spurious TCP timeouts through delay injection which requires no modification of, or access to, the TCP protocol itself. More particularly, injection of additional random delay or jitter at some point in a packet's roundtrip path across a wireless communications network is employed so as to increase the variance in round trip times, without significantly increasing the average value thereof. Spurious TCP timeouts are avoided through the artificial delay injection which occurs at a network element along the communications path and without modification of, or requiring access to, the TCP protocol. Further, the injection of artificial delay is applied on a transaction-by-transaction basis. That is, the decision to inject, or not inject, the artificial delay as well as the value of the injected delay are applied to each TCP connection or TCP flow.
US07821917B2 Method and apparatus for data and pilot structures supporting equalization
Techniques for transmitting data in a manner to facilitate equalization at a receiver are described. Guard intervals are appended to data blocks such that each data block has a guard interval at the beginning of the data block and a guard interval at the end of the data block. Each guard interval may be discontinuous transmission (DTX), a polyphase sequence, or some other known sequence. Pilot is appended to each set of at least one data block. The data blocks, pilot, and guard intervals may be sent using various slot structures and are processed for transmission. The processing may include mapping the data blocks to at least one physical channel, channelizing the data blocks for each physical channel with a channelization code, combining all physical channels, and scrambling the combined data, pilot, and guard intervals with a scrambling code.
US07821916B2 Timing and frequency acquisition for mediaflo systems
An apparatus, logic, and method of performing timing and frequency estimation in a MediaFLO™ mobile multimedia multicast system comprising a receiver and a transmitter, wherein the method comprises receiving a wireless data stream comprising a MediaFLO™ mobile multimedia multicast system superframe comprising Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols; estimating a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) trigger point for each of the received OFDM symbols; estimating a fine carrier frequency offset of each OFDM symbol; determining the start of the MediaFLO™ mobile multimedia multicast system superframe by locating a Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) pilot symbol in the superframe; estimating a coarse carrier frequency offset of each of the received OFDM symbols; and synchronizing the receiver to the start of the MediaFLO™ mobile multimedia multicast system superframe and the transmitted OFDM symbols based on the fine carrier frequency offset, the TDM pilot symbol, and the coarse carrier frequency offset.
US07821911B2 Information recording medium
In an information recording medium comprising at least a substrate, a recording layer, and a resin layer, the substrate is formed with at least a pit corresponding to a read only area 31 and a groove corresponding to a recording/reproducing area 32 without overlapping with each other. A reflectivity of the recording layer is specified to be more than 10%. The recording layer and the resin layer are continuously adhered over both the read only and recording/reproducing areas 31 and 32. The information recording medium is characterized in that both push-pull signal outputs T1 and T2, which are reproduced from the read only area 31 and the recording/reproducing area 32 respectively, are more than 0.1 and satisfy an inequality 1.5≧T1/T2≧0.5.
US07821909B2 Optical recording medium, manufacturing method for optical recording medium, and reproducing method for optical recording medium
An optical recording medium includes a main-information area in which a metal reflection film is formed on a substrate where a row of pits is formed as main data, and a sub-information area in which is recorded medium identification information, which is used to identify the optical recording medium individually, by removing the metal reflection film partially and forming a plurality of reflection-film removed areas. Information is reproduced by irradiating the metal reflection film with a beam of light. In the sub-information area, a row of pits or a guide groove is formed on the substrate, and a track pitch of the row of pits or the guide groove is at least 0.24 μm wide and at most 0.45 μm wide.
US07821907B2 Apparatus and method for reproducing optical disk
An optical disk reproducing apparatus to equalize and reproduce a signal optically read from an optical disk includes a controller to determine a number of regions to divide the optical disk into according to a reproduction frequency variation corresponding to a signal quality variation, and an equalizer to filter signals optically read from the divided regions with a cut-off frequency corresponding to the reproduction frequency variation.
US07821906B2 Objective lens for optical pick-up
An objective lens for an optical pick-up which is used to record data to and/or to reproduce data from at least three types of optical discs by selectively using one of at least three light beams having different wavelengths is provided. When thicknesses of a first, second and optical discs are represented by t1, t2 and t3, respectively, a relationship t1≦t2NA3 is satisfied. The first, second and third light beams are incident on the objective lens as substantially collimated light beams, respectively. In this configuration, at least one of surfaces of the objective lens includes a first area for attaining the numerical aperture required for recording data to and/or reproducing data from the third optical disc, and a second area located outside the first area. The first area includes an inner area including an optical axis of the objective lens, and an outer area located outside the inner area. The outer area is configured to converge the third light beam on a data recording layer of the third optical disc with an amount of an aberration being substantially zero. The objective lens satisfies a condition: 0.75
US07821904B2 Optical pickup apparatus and objective optical element
A light flux from the first light source forms a converged spot on first optical information recording medium by only a refraction action of the aspheric surface, or by a combination of the refraction action and an optical action given by at least one of the first phase structure and the second phase structure, a light flux from the second light source forms a converged spot on second optical recording medium by a combination of a refraction action of the aspheric surface and an optical action given by at least one of the first phase structure and the second phase structure, and a light flux from the third light source forms a converged spot on third optical recording medium by a combination of a refraction action of the aspheric surface and an optical action given by at least one of the first phase structure and the second phase structure.
US07821902B2 Aberration detection device and optical pickup device provided with same
An aberration detection device of the present invention is such that an absolute value of detection sensitivity of an aberration error signal is increased, and variation in detection sensitivity of the aberration error signal is little even when displacement between the center of light beam dividing means and the center of a bundle of light beams occurs due to a shift of a condensing optical system at the time of tracking control. A hologram element (2) divides light beams reflected from an information storage medium into at least two positive first order diffracted light beams. The hologram element (2) has a line (D1) extending in a radial direction and passing through an optical axis (OZ) and a division line (D2) having segments at least both ends thereof and a bulge in a center thereof, wherein the segments are substantially parallel to the line (D1), and the bulge (44) bulges toward the periphery of the hologram element (2) so that a top (D5) of the bulge (44) is substantially parallel to the line (D1).
US07821900B2 Diffractive optical element and method of designing the same
A transmissive or reflective diffractive optical element, comprising: a substrate having a top surface, the top surface being etched into a pattern, the pattern including a periodic surface pattern of grooves formed such that when an incoming light beam is shone onto the top surface, the incoming light beam will be split into a plurality of diffracted light beams, the plurality of diffracted light beams including a plurality of primary diffracted order beams and a plurality of secondary diffracted order beams, wherein the primary diffracted order beams have a primary aggregate efficiency above ninety percent, wherein the plurality of secondary diffracted order beams have a secondary aggregate efficiency of lower than ten percent, and wherein a maximum power of the primary diffracted order beams and a minimum power of the primary diffracted order beams differ by at least ten percent of an average power of the primary diffracted order beams.
US07821899B2 Optical pickup device
The present invention provides an optical pickup device requiring no position adjustment of a diffraction grating at the time of assembling the optical pickup device, and capable of suppressing fluctuations in a differential push-pull signal amplitude and cancelling a push-pull offset.An optical pickup device 200 of an embodiment of the present invention has a diffraction grating 230 of a special shape including predetermined grooves and two kinds of lattice grooves arranged at a pitch determined on the basis of a pitch of grooves formed in the surface of an optical disk 50, numerical aperture, wavelength of a light beam, and effective diameter of the light beam applied on the optical disk 50. To suppress push-pull signals generated in the ± first-order diffraction rays, reflection rays from the optical disk 50 of a zeroth-order diffraction ray and ± first-order diffraction rays are detected, and signals corresponding to light reception results are output to a reproduction unit 150, a control unit 130, and an actuator servo circuit 140.
US07821898B2 Techniques to store and access information using a holographic medium
Techniques are described that can be used to store information onto a holographic storage medium. Techniques are described that can be used to access information from a holographic storage medium. Multiple beam sources and multiple detectors can be used to store and/or read information. At least one detector can be available to read information available from a beam reflected from the medium. Multiple read and/or write operations may take place at substantially the same time.
US07821895B2 Data managing method for an optical disc drive writing user data into an optical disc having defects
A data managing method for an optical disc drive writing data into an optical disc having defects is provided. The optical disc has a user data area and a spare area. The optical disc drive includes a first buffering space and a second buffering space. The data managing method includes: when the first buffering space receives a data corresponding to a defect, not suspending the first buffering space from receiving the user data, and transferring the data, corresponding to the defect and in the first buffering space, to the second buffering space; and when data amount in the second buffering space reaches a predetermined value, suspending the optical disc drive from writing data in the first buffering space into the user data area, and driving the optical disc drive to write data in the second buffering space into the spare area.
US07821891B2 Optical disc apparatus and method of writing information to an optical disc including correcting write strategy
An optical disc apparatus may write information to an optical disc by forming a mark and a space on the optical disc. The optical disc apparatus may include a write stopping unit, a deviation calculating unit, and a write strategy correction unit. The write stopping unit may temporarily stop writing of information to the optical disc at a predetermined time. The deviation calculating unit may obtain a deviation value of written information just before writing of information is stopped by the write stopping unit. The write strategy correcting unit may correct a write strategy based on the deviation and the previously-stored inherent variation. Writing of information to the optical disc may be restarted using the corrected write strategy.
US07821889B1 Offset loop for wobble
An automated capability is provided in which an offset correction is automatically determined and routinely updated in order to reduce or otherwise eliminate data retrieval errors that may be caused by low level distortion in optical disc data storage recording, re-recording and retrieval system. The capability is implemented through an improved offset control loop for reading information from a modulated wobble signal with which the data is recorded to an optical disc data storage medium to provide detection of an offset and correction of that offset to facilitate implementation of precise timing synchronization and/or encoded information contact in the system. The offset detector measures a wobble signal and mathematically converts detected information regarding the measured wobble signal to an offset correction by integrating the wobble signal over a specific time interval and comparing the integrated value to an expected integrated value. The integration may be performed over at least one period of the sinusoidal wobble signal, and the correction added to the wobble signal.
US07821888B2 Optical disk reproducing apparatus with a disk identifying function
An optical disk reproducing apparatus has a circuit for detecting a difference in modulation scheme between two types of optical disks in a reproduction signal and a circuit for determining the modulation schemes of the disks on the basis of the difference. Thus the apparatus can reproduce the two optical disks with use of the circuit which determines the modulation schemes of the disks to be reproduced.
US07821887B2 Method and system for adjusting tilt of an optical pickup head
A method is used for adjusting a tilt of an optical pickup head. The method includes: identifying initial coordinates of the first static spot, the second static spot, and the dynamic spot in an image generated from three reflected light beams from the optical pickup head; turning one of the adjustable screws a predetermined calibrated rotation angle; recording current coordinates of the first static spot, the second static spot, and the dynamic spot in another image generated from three reflected light beams from the optical pickup head; calculating a total needed rotation angle of the one adjustable screw according to the initial coordinates, the predetermined calibrated rotation angle, and the current coordinates; and turning the one adjustable screw a remaining rotation angle computed by subtracting the predetermined calibrated rotation angle from the total needed rotation angle. An adjusting system is also disclosed.
US07821883B2 Computer system and method capable of automatically duplicating data into discs
The invention relates to a computer system capable of automatically duplicating data into discs with automatically blank-disc-supplying. The invention can be implemented by software, hardware, or any of the combinations. Since the invention does not utilize a mechanical arm to move the discs, the structure of the invention saves space compared with a traditional disc duplicating machine; moreover, the cost is less than that of the prior art.
US07821879B2 Mechanism for displaying pictures, figures or signs produced on a timepiece dial
The inventive mechanism comprises a series of toothed wheels meshing each with other or by groups and driven by a mobile which is connected to a basic timepiece movement by means of a mobile, wherein each toothed wheel is superimposed by a disc carrying pictures, figures or signs and rotating in a corresponding bore of the timepiece dial.
US07821875B2 Daylight saving time support for mobile devices
The invention relates to a method for updating a time marking according to new location, wherein a country related information is detected, a need for time update is determined, and if needed, time rules corresponding to said country related information is retrieved and the time is updated according to said rules. The invention relates also to a system, to a device, to a update converter and to computer program product.
US07821874B2 Systems, methods and computer products for multiple reminder and sub-events for calendar items
Systems, methods and computer program products for multiple reminder and sub-events for calendar items. Exemplary embodiments include a method including creating an event having an event time in the electronic calendar, creating a first reminder associated with the event and configured to activate at a first time prior to the event and creating another reminder associated with the event and configured to activate at a second time prior to the event and after the first time. Additional exemplary embodiments include a method including identifying deadlines associated with the sub-events, setting a reminder for each of the deadlines associated with the sub-events, setting a sound attribute for each of the reminders, and activating the reminder for each of the deadlines associated with the sub-events. An activation two reminders having a common deadline can have a unique sound attribute.
US07821860B2 Stable temperature adjustment for refresh control
A refresh control circuit and method generates a refresh signal in response to one of a plurality of clock signals and a temperature signal. The clock signals and temperature signal may be synchronized to prevent an incomplete refresh operation at a trip point of a temperature sensor. In one embodiment, a pulse generator may generate a temperature sensor enable signal in response to the clock signals when the clock signals are synchronized. In other embodiments, the temperature signal may be latched to prevent a transition in the refresh signal during a refresh operation. The temperature signal may be latched in response to one of the clock signals or the refresh signal.
US07821858B2 eDRAM hierarchical differential sense AMP
In an embodiment of the present invention, a hierarchical differential sensing approach is effectuated wherein an array of 1T DRAM cells are organized in rows and columns in which the rows represent words and the columns represent bits of the word, each bit column having more than one pair of balanced, true and complement local bit lines, the local bit lines being connected to a pair of balanced, true and complement global bit lines by way of CMOS transistor switches.
US07821856B2 Memory device having an evaluation circuit
A memory device comprising a memory cell and an evaluation circuit, the memory cell being coupled with the evaluation circuit via a bit line. The memory device further comprises a reference line coupled with the evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit being designed for amplifying a difference between electric potentials of the bit line and the reference line. Inputs of the evaluation circuit are directly connected to the bit line. Outputs of the evaluation circuit are coupled to the bit line via a switch.
US07821853B2 Memory redundance circuit techniques
In a memory module having a designated group of memory cells assigned to represent a logical portion of the memory structure, a memory redundancy circuit having a redundant group of memory cells; and a redundancy controller coupled with the designated group and the redundant group. The redundancy controller, which can include a redundancy decoder, assigns the redundant group to the logical portion of the memory structure in response to a preselected memory group condition, e.g., a “FAILED” memory group condition. The redundancy controller also can includeselectable switches, for example, fuses, which can encode the preselected memory group condition. The designated group of memory cells and the redundant group of memory cells can be a memory row, a memory column, a preselected portion of a memory module, a selectable portion of a memory module, a memory module, or a combination thereof.
US07821852B2 Write driving circuit
A write driving circuit is provided to drive a global input/output line to write same data to memory cells according to a combination of a first test data signal and a second test data signal in a test mode, regardless of input data signals.
US07821849B2 Configurable embedded processor
A configurable processor architecture uses a common simulation database for multiple processor configurations to reduce the cost of producing customized processor configurations. An unchanging core portion is used in each processor configuration. To support different memory modules, identification signals are provided from the memory modules or an identification module to configure the core portion.
US07821847B2 Circuit and method for controlling slew rate of data output circuit in semiconductor memory device
A data output circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes at least two data output pads disposed adjacent to each other, a driver unit configured to output a first data by driving a first pad among the data output pads, and a control unit configured to determine whether a phase of the first data is equal to a phase of adjacent data outputted through second pad adjacent to the first pad, and control a slew rate of the driver unit according to the determination result.
US07821844B2 Content addresable memory having programmable interconnect structure
A content addressable memory (CAM) device includes a CAM array, a programmable interconnect structure, and a priority encoder. The CAM array includes a plurality of CAM rows, each row including a number of CAM cells for storing a data word and coupled to a match line that indicates a match result for the CAM row. The programmable interconnect structure is coupled to each CAM row and a plurality of CAM rows, each row including a number of CAM cells for storing a data word and coupled to a match line that indicates match results for the row. The programmable interconnect structure coupled to each CAM row, and is configured to logically connect any number N of selected CAM rows together to form a data word chain spanning N rows, regardless of whether the selected CAM rows are contiguous.
US07821843B2 Partial write-back in read and write-back of a memory
An integrated circuit having a functional memory and methods of operating and reducing an operating power of the integrated circuit are provided. The functional memory includes an array of memory cells connected to row and column periphery units and organized in corresponding rows and columns. The memory also includes a word line that provides row access to a memory cell. The memory further includes at least one bit line that provides column access to the memory cell. The memory still further includes a partial write-back module, connected to the at least one bit line, that establishes a bit line bias to maintain a current state of the memory cell when in a half-selected condition based on a read of the current state and during a write cycle to a selected memory cell in the array.
US07821839B2 Gain control for read operations in flash memory
A technique for performing read operations with reduced errors in a memory device such as flash memory. An automatic gain control approach is used in which cells which have experienced data retention loss are read by a fine M-level quantizer which uses M−1 read threshold voltage levels. In one approach, M-quantized threshold voltage values are multiplied by a gain to obtain gain-adjusted threshold voltage values, which are quantized by an L-level quantizer, where L
US07821836B2 Flash memory device and method in which trim information is stored in memory cell array
A flash memory device which includes a memory cell array which stores data and trim information, and control logic which controls programming, erasing, and reading modes of the memory cell array. The control logic is operative to receive the trim information from the memory cell array in a power-up mode, and to optimize operational time periods of the programming, erasing, and reading modes in accordance with the trim information.
US07821833B2 Semiconductor device and its control method
A semiconductor device includes sectors having memory cells connected to local word lines, decoders selecting the sectors, and a circuit generating, in erasing of a selected sector, a control signal that causes a corresponding one of the decoders associated with the selected sector to be temporarily unselected. Each of the sectors includes a pull-up transistor that is driven by a corresponding one of the decoders via a corresponding one of global word lines connecting the sectors and drives one of the local word lines, and the pull-up transistor is kept OFF by the control signal.
US07821831B2 Block erase for volatile memory
A system and method for erasing a block of data in a plurality of memory cells includes clamping one of a digit line and an I/O line in a sensing circuit of a memory device to a fixed logic level. The memory cells of the block of memory cells are selected and refreshed to the fixed logic level. A sense amplifier includes a clamping circuit adapted to connect one of a digit line and an I/O line to a fixed logic level in response to an erase signal during a refresh of the selected block of memory cells.
US07821829B2 Nonvolatile memory device including circuit formed of thin film transistors
A transistor is arranged for electrically isolating a sense amplifier formed of a thin film transistor from a data line electrically coupled to the sense amplifier. When a write driver drives the data line, a control signal is applied to isolate the data line from the sense amplifier.
US07821827B2 Flash multi-level threshold distribution scheme
A threshold voltage distribution scheme for multi-level Flash cells where an erase threshold voltage and at least one programmed threshold voltage lie in an erase voltage domain. Having at least one programmed threshold voltage in the erase voltage domain reduces the Vread voltage level to minimize read disturb effects, while extending the life span of the multi-level Flash cells as the threshold voltage distance between programmed states is maximized. The erase voltage domain can be less than 0V while a program voltage domain is greater than 0V. Accordingly, circuits for program verifying and reading multi-level Flash cells having a programmed threshold voltage in the erase voltage domain and the program voltage domain use negative and positive high voltages.
US07821823B2 Semiconductor memory device, method of driving the same and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a semiconductor storage device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a first and a second impurity diffusion layer formed in the semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a first gate electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate via the gate insulating film. The gate insulating film has a nitrogen-containing silicon oxide film inside, and a silicon oxide film is so arranged on both sides of the nitrogen-containing silicon oxide film as to sandwich the nitrogen-containing silicon oxide film. In addition, the nitrogen composition in the nitrogen-containing silicon oxide film is increased from the semiconductor substrate side to the first gate electrode side.
US07821819B2 Semiconductor memory device and its data reading method
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of magnetic memory elements, a control line group and a read driving circuit.
US07821818B2 Magnetoresistive tunnel junction magnetic device and its application to MRAM
The magnetic device comprises a magnetic device comprising a magnetoresistive tunnel junction (100), itself comprising: a reference magnetic layer (120) having magnetization in a direction that is fixed; a storage magnetic layer (110) having magnetization in a direction that is variable; and an intermediate layer (130) acting as a tunnel barrier that is essentially semiconductor or electrically insulating and that separates the reference magnetic layer (120) from the storage magnetic layer (110). The potential profile of the intermediate layer (130) is asymmetrical across the thickness of said layer (130) so as to produce a current response that is asymmetrical as a function of the applied voltage. The device is applicable to magnetic random access memories.
US07821817B2 Semiconductor storage device
In a semiconductor storage device including a transistor for reading port, undesired voltage decrease may occur in a bit line in a reading operation due to a leak current from the transistor for reading port of a memory cell, which may cause a reading error. A semiconductor storage device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a third transistor having one of a source and a drain connected to a first bit line and switching supply of a ground voltage performed on the first bit line in accordance with a value held in a memory cell according to selection and non-selection of the memory cell, and a fixed voltage keeping circuit keeping a potential of the other of the source and the drain of the third transistor to a fixed potential in a memory cell non-selected state in a six-transistor SRAM.
US07821816B2 Method for constructing Shmoo plots for SRAMs
A method of preparing Shmoo plots where both the number of failures and also the failure type is specified at each test voltage measurement point. A method that uses the operational SRAM array circuitry to determine the type of failure that may have occurred at each test voltage measurement point.
US07821814B2 Semiconductor memory device
When threshold voltages of constituent transistors are reduced in order to operate an SRAM circuit at a low voltage, there is a problem in that a leakage current of the transistors is increased and, as a result, electric power consumption when the SRAM circuit is not operated while storing data is increased. Therefore, there is provided a technique for reducing the leakage current of MOS transistors in SRAM memory cells MC by controlling a potential of a source line ssl of the driver MOS transistors in the memory cells.
US07821813B2 Nanowire memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A nanowire memory device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A memory device includes: a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a first nanowire extending from an end of the first electrode; a second electrode formed over the first electrode to overlap the first electrode; and a second nanowire extending from an end of the second electrode corresponding to the end of the first electrode in the same direction as the first nanowire, wherein an insulating layer exists between the first and second electrodes.
US07821812B2 Low-power DRAM and method for driving the same
A dynamic random access memory includes: an address latch configured to latch a row address in response to a row address strobe (RAS) signal and latch a column address in response to a column address strobe (CAS) signal; a row decoder configured to decode the row address; an enabler configured to decode a part of most significant bits (MSB) of the column address to locally enable a part of one page area corresponding to the row address; and a column decoder configured to decode the column address.
US07821810B2 Phase change memory adaptive programming
Some embodiments include methods and apparatus having a module configured to program a memory cell using a signal to cause the memory cell to have a programmed resistance value, to adjust a programming parameter value of the signal if the programmed resistance value is outside a target resistance value range, and to repeat at least one of the programming and the adjusting if the programmed resistance value is outside the target resistance value range, the signal including a different programming parameter value each time the programming is repeated.
US07821808B2 Multilayer ferroelectric data storage system with regenerative read
A data storage system comprises first and second storage layers, a reader and a writer. The first storage layer has a first coercive potential and a first polarization. The second storage layer has a second coercive potential that is less than the first coercive potential, and a second polarization that is coupled to the first polarization. The writer performs a write operation in which a write potential is imposed across the first and second storage layers, such that the first coercive potential is exceeded across the first storage layer and the second coercive potential is exceeded across the second storage layer. The reader performs a read operation in which a read potential is imposed across the first and second storage layers, such that the second coercive potential is exceeded across the second storage layer and the first coercive potential is not exceeded across the first storage layer.
US07821805B2 Semiconductor memory device
To secure a sufficient read-out voltage even when lines are arranged at a fine pitch, a semiconductor memory device including: a memory array in which a plurality of memory cells are arranged in rows and columns; and a plurality of bit lines associated with the respective columns of the memory cells is provided. The bit lines include main bit lines and sub bit lines to have a hierarchical structure, the main bit lines are divided among a plurality of interconnection layers, and a distance between the main bit lines in one of the interconnection layers is larger than a distance between the sub bit lines.
US07821802B2 Control method for direct power converter
A power converter directly converting an AC voltage into an AC voltage of any desired magnitude and frequency by turning bidirectional switches ON and OFF without employing any energy buffer, where the peak values of output phase voltage command values are limited, to bring the amplitude of an output line voltage to, at most, 0.866 times the amplitude of the supply line voltages. By way of example, the peak-value limit of the output phase voltage command values is set so that the maximum value of the output phase voltage command values becomes, at most, 0.75 times the maximum value of supply phase voltages, while the minimum value thereof becomes, at least, 0.75 times the minimum value of the supply phase voltages. This control method for the direct power converter dispenses with an expensive dedicated motor, and permits a reduction in cost of the control apparatus as a whole.
US07821799B2 Ripple reduction for switch-mode power conversion
A power converter includes an isolated or a nonisolated current-doubler rectification circuit including two magnetic circuit elements, each magnetic circuit element formed with a primary winding and a voltage-sensing winding. The primary windings are coupled in series. The voltage-sensing windings are also coupled in series but with a coupling sense opposite from that of the primary windings. A properly sized inductor and capacitor are coupled in series with the voltage-sensing windings to produce a ripple-cancellation current with slope opposite to a net slope error of currents produced in the two magnetic circuit elements. The current-doubler rectification circuit is preferably coupled to a rectangular ac input waveform. By sensing a scaled voltage difference between two magnetic circuit elements, a very low level of output ripple is produced by the circuit with very low power losses over a range of operating conditions.
US07821795B2 Multilayer wiring board
A multilayered substrate includes a plurality of circuit boards including a plurality of wiring layers including a grounding layer and a power layer, a solid electrolytic capacitor having an insulative oxide film layer, an electrolytic layer, and a conductor layer sequentially formed on one surface or both surfaces of a foil-like metal substrate, and a conductive substance passing through the circuit board across a thickness thereof. The solid electrolytic capacitor is disposed to be held between the plurality of circuit boards. The conductor layer is connected to a grounding electrode formed on the grounding layer, the foil-like metal substrate being connected to a power electrode formed on the power layer.
US07821794B2 Layered label structure with timer
The present invention relates to a thin, layered, variable label structure with built-in electronic functionality. The display and/or other functional elements in the structure may be formed by printing processes. The label structure includes a thin, layered structure with an active display, comprising a base layer and a cover layer of material and a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer. The display is formed with a layer of electrochromic ink and a pair of spaced apart electrodes. The cover layer includes a window to allow for the layer of electrochromic ink to be visible through the cover layer. The label also is configured to respond to an actuating event by completing an electrical connection between a power source and the pair of spaced apart electrodes of the display component, thereby causing the display to change its appearance. The actuating event may include a variety of occurrences, such as: pressing a switch on the label, introducing a power source to activate the display, and a sensor sensing a condition near the label.
US07821792B2 Cell board interconnection architecture
According to at least one embodiment, a cell board interconnection architecture comprises an interconnection structure for interconnecting a plurality of cell boards, the interconnection structure configured to allow air to pass therethrough in a direction in which the cell boards couple therewith.
US07821790B2 Modular chassis providing scalable mechanical, electrical and environmental functionality for MicroTCA and Advanced TCA boards
A modular chassis arrangement for electronic modules that is configurable into a mechanically and electrically interconnected structure capable of delivering scalable mechanical, electrical and environmental functionality for a multiplicity of electronic modules. In one embodiment, the electronic modules are compliant with AdvancedTCA or MicroTCA standards in a modular Pico-Shelf configuration that support stackable and/or back-to-back multiple unit chassis.
US07821783B2 Double hinge assembly and electronic device using the same
An exemplary double hinge assembly (30) includes a first hinge subassembly (31), a second hinge subassembly (32), a first bracket (35), a second bracket (36) and a connecting member. The first hinge subassembly (31) includes a first rotatable pivot shaft (311). The second hinge subassembly (32) includes a second rotatable pivot shaft (321). The first bracket (35) is fixed to the first rotatable pivot shaft (311), and the second bracket (36) is fixed to the second rotatable pivot shaft (321). The first hinge subassembly (31) and the second hinge subassembly (32) are rotatably mounted to the connecting member respectively. A rotating axis of the first rotatable pivot shaft (311) is substantially parallel to a rotating axis of the second rotatable pivot shaft (321). In addition, an electronic device (50) using the double hinge assembly (30) is also provided.
US07821782B2 Ergonomic solvent resistant portable computer
A portable computer that is ergonomic and solvent resistant is disclosed. The computer may have an exterior surface that is made from a soft polymer, so that it will shield a user from exposure to heat while providing a positive tactile feel and shielding the computer from impact. The computer may comprise a number of input output devices with distinct controls arranged about the body of the computer so that a user may comfortably operate each the devices with one hand. The housing of the computer may be sealed, so that it will be resistant to liquid and particulate infiltration, and may be easily wiped clean and disinfected.
US07821777B2 Multifunction base and computer utilizing the same
A multifunction base and a computer utilizing the same. The multifunction base is applicable to an electronic device, and comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is detachably combined with the first portion. When the second portion and the first portion are combined, they be utilized as a base for the electronic device. When the second portion and the first portion are separated, the electronic device can be received in the first and second portions.
US07821775B2 Racking mechanism for a circuit breaker
Disclosed is a racking mechanism for a drawout circuit breaker including a cross shaft movably positioned in an enclosure and at least one input link in operable communication with the cross shaft via at least one connecting link. At least one racking cam is movably positioned in the enclosure and is in operable communication with the input link. Each racking cam has at least one cam slot receptive of a portion of the circuit breaker. Movement of the cross shaft about an axis of the cross shaft is capable of moving the at least one racking cam from an open position toward a closed position with the portion of the circuit breaker disposed in the at least one cam slot, thereby securing the circuit breaker in the enclosure and the at least one racking cam is in the closed position. A method for securing a circuit breaker in an enclosure and a circuit breaker assembly are also disclosed.
US07821773B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
Particles of a valve metal and a binder are mixed and kneaded together. The mixed-kneaded matter obtained thereby is molded, and a through-hole is formed in the molded body. An anode body is formed by sintering the molded body. A dielectric layer is formed on the surface of the anode body thus formed. Subsequently, an conducting polymer layer is formed on the dielectric layer.
US07821772B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor has an anode body including a porous sintered body consisting of a valve action metal, a dielectric layer deposited on a surface of the anode body, a conductive polymer layer deposited on a surface of the dielectric layer, and a cathode layer deposited on a surface of the conductive polymer layer. The conductive polymer layer includes a laminated film consisting of a first conductive polymer layer formed by a chemical polymerization process and a second conductive polymer layer formed by an electrolytic polymerization process. The first conductive polymer layer has recesses on its surface against the dielectric layer. Interior surfaces of such recesses define cavities which constitute pores at an interface between the first conductive polymer layer and the dielectric layer. These pores are distributed at intervals along the interface between the first conductive polymer layer and the dielectric layer in such a way that the dielectric layer is exposed to their interior surfaces.
US07821771B2 Apparatus for storing electrical energy
An apparatus for storing electrical energy is provided. The apparatus includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a dielectric layer. The first magnetic layer has a first surface with saw tooth roughness; the second magnetic layer has a second surface with saw tooth roughness; and the dielectric layer is configured between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The dielectric layer is arranged to store electrical energy; the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer are arranged to prevent electrical energy leakage; and the saw tooth roughness on the first surface and the second surface is designed to increase the capacitance of the apparatus.
US07821767B2 Electrostatic chuck device
The object of this invention is to provide that an electrostatic chuck device which can properly and promptly diselectrify a substrate to be processed.In an electrostatic chuck device (11) attracting a substrate (W) to be processed on the surface of a susceptor (12) electrically, a diselectrifying circuit is provided which includes diselectrifying electrode means (16) facing the surface of the susceptor (12), a diselectrifying potential (19), and a diselectrifying resistance (17) connected between the diselectrifying electrode means (16) and the diselectrifying potential (19). The resistance value of the diselectrifying resistance (178) is established such that it is lower than that of an insulating layer (13) of the surface of the susceptor (12 and the diselectrifying resistance (17) can hold the potential of the substrate (W) during an electrostatic chuck operation, and such that the diselectrifying resistance 17) can dissipate the potential of the substrate (W) into the ground potential (19) when the electrostatic chuck is canceled. This structure can appropriately and promptly diselectrify the substrate (W).
US07821766B2 Systems and methods for pulse delivery
An apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through the target includes according to various aspects of the present invention a transformer, a capacitance, a charge detector, and a processor. The transformer has a secondary winding that is coupled to the target to provide the current. The capacitance is in series with the secondary winding and is charged to a voltage. The charge detector detects a charge provided through the target by the capacitance and the secondary winding. The processor sets the voltage (e.g., for charging for a next pulse) responsive to the charge detected by the charge detector.
US07821757B2 Device for providing protection against overvoltages with solderless contacts and corresponding manufacturing method
A device (1) for providing protection for an electrical installation against overvoltages including at least one protection component (2), the device having a first mounting (14) delimiting a first interstitial space (14′) with a dimension fixed by construction that at least partially houses a first conducting element (10) and a second conducting element (11) to make the electrical connection between the first conducting element and the second conducting element, the device also having a second mounting (15) delimiting a second interstitial space (15′) with a dimension fixed by construction that at least partially houses a third conducting element (12) and a fourth conducting element (13) so as to make the electrical connection between the third conducting element and the fourth conducting element.
US07821755B2 Resettable short-circuit protection configuration
A resettable short circuit protection configuration includes a power input terminal, a power output terminal, a first electrically controlled switch, which has a control end and two conducting ends, the two conducting ends being respectively electrically connected to the power input terminal and the power output terminal, a second electrically controlled switch, which has a control end and two conducting ends, the two conducting ends being respectively electrically connected to the power input terminal and the control end of the first electrically controlled switch, a first resistor, which has two opposite ends respectively electrically connected to the control end of the first electrically controlled switch and a grounding terminal, and a second resistor, which has two opposite ends respectively electrically connected to the control end of the second electrically controlled switch and the power output terminal.
US07821754B2 Circuit arrangement for producing a defined output signal
A circuit arrangement for producing a defined output signal in CMOS integrated circuit is provided in which the output of a sensor signal conditioning circuit is connected to the drain terminal of a first N channel depletion transistor, to a source terminal of a second N channel depletion transistor and to the output (OUT) of an integrated CMOS circuit. The gate terminals of the first and second N channel depletion transistors are connected to the output (VP) of a control circuit and the first terminal of a discharge resistance. The second terminal of the discharge resistance and the source terminal of the first N channel depletion transistor are connected to a potential VSS, and the drain terminal of the second N channel depletion transistor is connected to a potential VDD.
US07821745B2 Thin-film magnetic head in which perpendicular magnetic record head overlaps on reproducing head
A thin-film magnetic head is provided. The thin-film magnetic head includes a return-yoke layer formed on an opposed surface such that a maximum length of the return-yoke layer is shorter than a longer length of the length of the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer. The length sets in the range of 0 to 2 μm, and more preferably 2 μm. Accordingly, magnitudes of leakage magnetic fields leaked from each front end surface of return-yoke layer, the upper shield layer, and the lower shield layer toward the record medium are balanced and reduced. An advantage of the invention is to provide a thin-film magnetic head so as to prevent a record data recorded in a record medium from being erased.
US07821744B2 Thin film magnetic head substrate with lapping process monitors for read and write elements with common electrode for the read and write elements
A thin film magnetic head substrate includes a plurality of head element portions having read elements and write elements in rows. Adjacent head element portions interpose a read monitor element and a write monitor element that are used as element resistance monitors for the read element and the write element when a lapping process is performed to form a medium-facing surface on the head element portion. A common electrode terminal is connected with the read monitor element and the write monitor element. A pair of individual electrode terminals are each connected to the read monitor element and the write monitor element, respectively.
US07821737B2 Thin film magnetic head for high density recording and having a leading side magnetic pole piece of variable width at the media facing surface
Embodiments of the invention provide a thin film magnetic head suitable for high density recording having a small erase band ΔE and a small fringe magnetic field, and a large recording magnetic field. In one embodiment, a width LW of a lower magnetic pole piece protuberance of a leading side magnetic pole piece, at a face in contact with a write gap layer, is made smaller than a width TW of an upper magnetic pole piece front layer of a trailing side magnetic pole piece, at a face in contact with the write gap layer, and the width of the lower magnetic pole piece protuberance adjacent to the write gap layer is made larger, in a direction from the write gap layer.
US07821732B2 Thermally assisted magnetic head having an asymmetric plasmon antenna and manufacturing method thereof
A thermally assisted magnetic head according to the present invention includes: a medium-facing surface, a main magnetic pole provided on the medium-facing surface, and a plasmon antenna provided on the medium-facing surface in the vicinity of the main magnetic pole, wherein the plasmon antenna is shaped as a triangular flat plate having first, second and third corners, such that the distance from the first corner to the main magnetic pole is shorter than the distance from the second corner to the main magnetic pole and the distance from the third corner to the main magnetic pole, and the interior angle α of the first corner, the interior angle β of the second corner and the interior angle γ of the third corner satisfy relationships α<β, α<γ and β≠γ.
US07821729B2 Storage apparatus and method for processing recording compensation
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a storage apparatus has a storage for storing a plurality of compensation values in association with a plurality of bit sequence patterns, a head for writing data into a medium and a controller for controlling the apparatus and driving the head, the controller determining whether to use one of the compensation values to drive the head to write an instantaneous data bit in dependence upon the immediate preceding data bits in reference to the bit sequence patterns.
US07821728B2 Detection of defective tape drive by aggregating read error statistics
A plurality of tape drives writes a plurality of indicators corresponding to a plurality of data units on a tape, wherein an indicator indicates which tape drive of the plurality of tape drives has written a corresponding data unit on the tape. Each of the plurality of tape drives generates an extent of read errors, in response to reading the plurality of data units written on the tape. The extent of read errors generated by each of the plurality of tape drives are aggregated at a computational device coupled to the plurality of tape drives. A determination is made at the computational device of a defective tape drive of the plurality of tape drives from the aggregated extent of read errors.
US07821727B2 Lens driving device
A lens driving device, comprises a base; a casing fixed to the base; a coil bracket disposed within the casing; a coil wound on the coil bracket, a spring disposed within the casing, a drive rod; and a lens holder; wherein, one end of the spring is fixed to the base; one end of the drive rod is fixed to the other end of the spring, and the other end of the drive rod extends out of the casing. The lens holder is slidably fixed to the exposed portion of the drive rod. The lens holder is held stationary with respect to the drive rod by static friction between the drive rod and the lens holder. A driving signal may be applied to the coil to move the lens holder. The driving signal has the characteristic of making the current flowing through the coil slowly increase and then rapidly decrease, or to rapidly increase and then slowly decrease. The drive current is preferably a sawtooth pulse train, with each pulse causing movement of the lens holder in the micron range or below.
US07821721B2 Two-element f-θ lens used for micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) laser scanning unit
A two-element f-θ lens used for a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) laser scanning unit includes a first lens and a second lens, the first lens is a biconvex lens, the second lens is a meniscus lens of which the convex surface is disposed on a side of a MEMS mirror, at least one optical surface is an Aspherical surface in both main scanning direction and sub scanning direction, and satisfies special optical conditions. The two-element f-θ lens corrects the nonlinear relationship between scanned angle and the time into the linear relationship between the image spot distances and the time. Meanwhile, the two-element f-θ lens focuses the scan light to the target in the main scanning and sun scanning directions, such that the purpose of the scanning linearity effect and the high resolution scanning can be achieved.
US07821719B2 Monomers and polymers for optical elements
An optical element includes a first lens; a cover; and a cured matrix polymer sandwiched between the first lens and the cover; the matrix polymer, prior to curing, having a monomer mixture dispersed therein; the matrix polymer being selected from the group consisting of polyester, polystyrene, polyacrylate, thiol-cured epoxy polymer, thiol-cured isocyanate polymer, and mixtures thereof; and the monomer mixture comprising a thiol monomer and at least one second monomer selected from the group consisting of ene monomer and yne monomer.
US07821718B1 Laser line generator
A laser beam emission is collimated by optics. The collimated beam is shaped into an expanding planar laser beam by line generator optics. The expanding planar laser beam is collimated by other optics such that a beam having a generally rectangular cross-section is derived. The resulting beam can be used in ink drop detection and/or other applications.
US07821714B1 Apparatus and method for measuring aerial image of EUV mask
An apparatus for measuring an image of a pattern to be formed on a semiconductor by scanning the pattern using a scanner, the apparatus including an EUV mask including the pattern, a zoneplate lens on a first side of the EUV mask and adapted to focus EUV light on a portion of the EUV mask at a same angle as an angle at which the scanner will be disposed with respect to a normal line of the EUV mask, and a detector arranged on another side of the EUV mask and adapted to sense energy of the EUV light from the EUV mask, wherein NAzoneplate=NAscanner/n and NAdetector=NAscanner/n*σ, where NAzoneplate denotes a NA of the zoneplate lens, NAdetector denotes a NA of the detector, and NAscanner denotes a NA of the scanner, σ denotes an off-axis degree of the scanner, and n denotes a reduction magnification of the scanner.
US07821713B2 Color light combining system for optical projector
A color light combining system comprises a polarizing beam splitter that includes a reflective polarizer film, a first prism face that receives a first unpolarized color light, a second prism face that receives a second unpolarized color light, and a third prism face that provides a first combined light output that includes combined first color light polarized in a first direction and second color light polarized in a second direction. The polarizing beam splitter includes a reflector at a fourth prism face. A color-selective stacked retardation polarization filter faces the third prism face. The first color selective stacked retardation polarization filter provides a second combined light output that includes the first and second color lights that are combined and have the same polarization direction.
US07821711B2 2D-3D image switching display system
Provided is a 2D-3D switching display system that includes a backlight, a liquid crystal panel which forms a 3D image using light generated by the backlight, a viewing zone separation unit which separates an image formed by the liquid crystal panel into a left eye image and a right eye image, and a display panel which transmits light passing through the viewing zone separation unit.
US07821710B2 Projector screen structure
The invention provides an improved projector screen structure. The improved screen structure is constituted by twist yarns from superfine single yarns and superfine nickel (Ni) chromium (Cr) alloy fiber. Through up-and-down weaving method for plain woven texture, all yarns are arranged in an organized and uniform fashion with tight spacing, so the fine screen constituted by such structure is suitable for any projectors that have different screen requirements and may be used to both front and back projection. The screen produced in this way can also deliver wide view angle, increased color saturation and contrast as well as better layer and three-dimensional effect. Moreover, the screen has zero radiation, low reflection, uniform light absorbance, flatness, antibacterial property, dustproof effect, water cleanability and durability, which are excellent attributes that traditional screens do not have. The present screen further improves comfort level for audiences and meets environmental requirements after disposal.
US07821708B2 Method and apparatus for illuminating a reticle
An apparatus has structure with a reticle oriented approximately parallel to and adjacent an imaginary plane. The structure includes on one side of the plane a portion transmissive to visible radiation, the portion having a surface that is spaced from and angled with respect to the plane, and that faces away from the reticle. A reticle illumination section emits radiation adjacent the surface. According to a different aspect, a method involves: providing a reticle oriented approximately parallel to an imaginary plane and disposed immediately adjacent the plane; providing on one side of the plane a structural portion that is transmissive to visible radiation; forming on the portion a surface spaced from the plane, oriented at an angle to the plane, and oriented to face away from the reticle; and emitting radiation adjacent the surface.
US07821696B2 Electrochromic rearview mirror assembly incorporating a display/signal light
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough.
US07821693B1 MEMS mirror with rotation amplification and electromagnetic drive
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror device includes a mirror coupled to an actuator by a first torsional hinge along a rotational axis. The actuator has a body and a group of coils extending from the body. An anchor is coupled another end of the actuator by a second torsional hinge along the rotational axis.